Opioid Abuse Probable EMS Call Dashboard

<p style='margin-left:.25in;'><font size='4'>The incident locations represented are approximated and not the actual location of the incident (or individuals residence). A computer generated randomized distance adjustment is applied to each incident location to ensure data are anonymous. This approximated location data is also shown on the dashboard.</font></p><p></p><p style='margin-left:.25in;'><font size='4'>The following documents what data are collected and why they are being collected. Additional variables will be added to the dashboard in the next phase.</font></p><p style='margin-left:0.25in;'><font size='4'><b>Opioid Abuse Probable</b><br /></font></p><p style='margin-left:0.25in;'><font size='4'>A call may be coded as “opioid abuse probable” for many reasons, such as</font></p><p style='margin-left:0.25in;'></p><ul><li><font size='4'>Are there are any medical symptoms indicative of opioid abuse?<br /></font></li><li><font size='4'>Are there physical indicators on scene (i.e. drug paraphernalia, pill bottles, etc.)?<br /></font></li><li><font size='4'>Are there witnesses or patient statements made that point to opioid abuse?<br /></font></li><li><font size='4'>Is there any other evidence that opioid abuse is probable with the patient?<br /></font></li></ul><p></p><p style='margin-left:0.25in;'></p><p style='margin-left:0.25in;'></p><p style='margin-left:0.25in;'></p><p style='margin-left:0.25in;'><font size='4'>“Opioid abuse probable” is determined by Tempe Fire Medical Rescue Department’s Emergency medical technicians and paramedics on scene at the time of the incident. </font></p><p style='margin-left:0.25in;'><b><font size='4'>Narcan/Naloxone Given</font></b></p><p style='margin-left:0.25in;'><font size='4'>“Narcan/Naloxone Given” refers to whether the medication Narcan/Naloxone was given to patients who exhibited signs or symptoms of a potential opioid overdose or to patients who fall within treatment protocols that require Narcan/Naloxone to be given.  Narcan/Naloxone are the same medication with Narcan being the trade name and Naloxone being the generic name for the medication.  Narcan is the reversal medication used by medical providers for opioid overdoses.</font></p><p style='margin-left:0.25in;'><b><font size='4'>Groups</font></b></p><p style='margin-left:0.25in;'><font size='4'>“Groups” are used to determine if there are specific populations that have an increase in opioid abuse. </font></p><p style='margin-left:0.25in;'></p><ul><li><font size='4'>The student population at ASU was being examined for other purposes to determine ASU's overall call volume impact in Tempe. Data collection with the university is consistent with Fire Departments who provide service to the other PAC 12 universities. Since this data set was already being evaluated, it was included in the opioid data collection as well.<br /></font></li><li><font size='4'>The Veteran and Homeless Groups were established as demographic tabs to identify trends and determine needs in conjunction with the City of Tempe’s Veterans and Homeless programs.  Since these data sets were being evaluated already, they were included in the opioid data collection as well.<br /></font></li><li><font size='4'>The “unknown” group includes incidents where a patient is unable to answer or refuses to answer the demographic questions.  <br /></font></li></ul><p></p><p style='margin-left:0.25in;'></p><p style='margin-left:0.25in;'><b><font size='4'>Gender</font></b></p><p style='margin-left:0.25in;'><font size='4'>Patient gender is documented as male or female when crews are able to obtain this information from the patient. There are some circumstances where this information is not readily determined and the patient is unable to communicate with our crews. In these circumstances, crews may document unknown/unable to determine. </font></p>

Tags: arizona, calls-for-service, community-health, fire, opioids, public-health, tempe
Organization: City of Tempe