Answer the Call: Increasing Naloxone Access with Automated Phone Outreach
By Kara Wong, Facility Pain Management, Opioid Safety & PDMP Coordinator
More people are dying from opioid overdoses than car accidents. Veterans Health Administration is committed to reducing overdose deaths. One way to accomplish this is through expanding access to the life-saving medication naloxone (also known as Narcan®).
Drug overdoses remain a leading cause of death. Most of these deaths involve opioids, a type of medicine used to treat pain. Examples of common prescription opioids are hydrocodone, oxycodone, and morphine. Opioids can also be non-prescribed substances, like heroin or carfentanil.
More people are dying from opioid overdoses than car accidents. Veterans Health Administration is committed to reducing overdose deaths. One way to accomplish this is through expanding access to the life-saving medication naloxone (also known as Narcan®). Naloxone temporarily reverses an opioid overdose to help a person start breathing again and allow emergency help to arrive. Naloxone is available as a nasal spray and is free of charge to all Veterans.
The Minneapolis VA has been nationally recognized for its innovative strategies to increase naloxone access. In 2023, a point-of-care dispensing program was implemented which allows for naloxone kits to be given directly to Veterans at the Community Resource and Referral Center, Veterans resource fairs, and the mobile medical unit. Additionally, Veterans interested in receiving naloxone can receive a kit by asking a provider at an upcoming visit, speaking with a pharmacist at the Minneapolis VA Medical center Outpatient Pharmacy, or using the My HealtheVet app to contact Triage Group: MSP Opioid Overdose and Naloxone Education%.
The latest addition to Minneapolis VA’s opioid overdose and naloxone program is the use of automated phone calls. Many Veterans are likely familiar with automated phone calls to remind them of upcoming appointments. The same technology is now being used to let Veterans know about the availability of naloxone. Automated phone calls are initiated monthly. Veterans who respond that they are interested in receiving a naloxone kit are contacted by a pharmacist within seven days to specify delivery options and answer any questions. Automated phone calls started in November 2023. To date, nearly 900 Veterans have responded to an automated phone call with over 400 naloxone prescriptions issued.
Join us at an upcoming event recognizing International Overdose Awareness Day on Thursday, August 21, from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the Flag Atrium at the Minneapolis VA Medical Center to learn more opioid overdose recognition and response, as well as safe medication storage and disposal. Pharmacists will be available to provide naloxone education and prescriptions, if interested.