OPEN + MEDIC Naloxone Distribution Program

Naloxone (Narcan) is a life saving medication that rapidly reverses opioid overdose, and emergency departments are a critical point of care for distribution. Sending patients who have experienced an overdose home without naloxone is a missed opportunity that may result in subsequent overdoses and potential fatalities.

Since 2019, OPEN and MEDIC have been partnering to reduce these preventable opioid-related deaths by:

• Increasing the distribution of naloxone, a life saving medication, to patients treated for opioid overdose and those at high risk of future overdose within Michigan emergency departments.
• Supporting hospital and community networks in development and implementation of best practices for emergency department-based opioid use disorder screening, naloxone distribution, and initiation of medication-assisted treatment.

The OPEN + MEDIC Naloxone Program provides participating emergency departments with naloxone rescue kits (NRKs). Participating emergency departments receive naloxone delivered directly to their ED pharmacy and on-site naloxone training sessions.

Kit Contents

• Naloxone medication
• Pair of nonlatex gloves
• Barrier mask
• Blue kit label with a QR code to access patient video training
• Patient education brochure
• Local pharmacies participating in Michigan’s naloxone standing order program
• SUD treatment resources (not shown)