Unit Chief, Station 269, South Richmond British Columbia Emergency Health Services Burnaby, British Columbia
Description: The Opioid Crisis continues to worsen in North America thus creating a unique opportunity for the EMS community to showcase our capability. In this presentation, we will discuss the historical responses BCEHS has made in response to this crisis and the various improvements deployed to better utilize our resources. We will also discuss the constant evolution of managing this crisis, the flexibility required, and the broad thinking one must possess to be "outside" of the traditional EMS box. Lastly, it is worth mentioning the assessment and treatment of an opioid/benzodiazepine overdosed patient.
Learning Objectives:
Upon completion, participants will be able to understand the historical background on how the opioid crisis evolved in North America, how the opioid was distributed, and how it spread.
Upon completion, participants will be able to understand how the BCEHS responded to this crisis and how it continues to adapt to the changes in the midst of COVID.
Upon completion, participants will be able to understand the assessment and treatment of an opioid overdosed patient who mixes benzodiazepine into their injection.
Upon completion, participants will be able to know BCEHS' mental health strategies for their 4,000 EMTs and dispatchers, how these strategies are deployed.
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