The Alberta Paramedic Association is aware of the very real threat to public health that has emerged with the drug, fentanyl. To date, 213 Albertans have died from fentanyl overdoses and the APA absolutely supports the Health Minister’s objective of making the antidote, Naloxone, more available to Albertans.
Naloxone is essential to the timely treatment of overdose of opiate drugs; however, is not without risks if not administered appropriately, by the right medical professional.
In accordance with the Health Disciplines Act, EMT Regulation, Paramedics are presently the only prehospital professional in Alberta that is able to administer Naloxone. The drug has been successfully and safely administered by EMT level practitioners (Primary Care Paramedics) in other provinces for many years. Currently, there are over 4200 Emergency Medical Technicians in Alberta whom already possess the knowledge and skills to administer drugs by intramuscular and intravenous injection and a sufficient knowledge of pharmacology and toxicology.
It is the position of the APA that with appropriate education, EMTs can safely, and should be able to administer Naloxone for patients presenting with opiate drug overdoses. This policy change would enable Albertans in rural and remote communities, urban centres, as well as industrial settings, to have better access to this lifesaving drug.
Moving forward, in conjunction with the Health Ministers multipronged approach, we wish to work with our colleagues at the Alberta College of Paramedics, our Physician partners, and the Minister of Health to educate EMTs. As well as assist in raising public awareness as part of the response to this leading public health problem.
This challenge in responding to emerging public health threats highlights the need for Paramedic practitioners to transition to the Health Professions Act as soon as possible. Without this transition, Paramedics will continue to face difficulties in adapting our scope of practice and education to the roles that we are asked to fulfill, Impairing our ability to provide world-class prehospital care to Albertans.