Assessment of potential opioid toxicity and response to naloxone by rapid response teams at an urban Melbourne hospital.

Abstract

Opioid prescriptions have significantly increased in recent years and are used for a wide variety of indications. Electronic medical records of 45 patients who received naloxone by a rapid response team over an 18-month period were retrospectively reviewed. This study found inconsistencies in the management of possible opioid toxicity with variation in the total naloxone dose and number of doses administered. This highlights the importance of a standardised protocol for recognition and management of opioid overdose.