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Vigilantidote: Feasibility Assessment of an Opioid Overdose Emergency Texting Service, Designed to Reduce Overdose Deaths

Presenting Author: Korey Onulack, BS, MD(c) Vigilantidote, Drexel University College of Medicine

ABSTRACT

Background: In Philadelphia and other major cities across the country, opioid related deaths have dramatically increased. According to the Philadelphia Department of Public Health, overdose deaths rose from approximately 700 in 2016 to 900 in 20171. Of these 900 deaths, 80% were due to opioid intoxication2. This public health issue is especially devastating neighborhoods like El Campamento in Kensington, which according to the DEA is, ""the East Coast's largest heroin market3.”

Objectives: Vigilantidote intends to increase public access to opioid overdose reversal drugs by creating a community of trained naloxone carriers willing to respond in an opioid overdose emergency, ancillary to local EMS.

Methods: Vigilantidote is an SMS group text service where trained naloxone carriers may be alerted of an overdose. Through partnerships with local naloxone training programs, Vigilantidote will recruit naloxone carrier volunteers to register with the service. To measure overall feasibility, preliminary surveys will be conducted at local community centers. Efficacy will be measured by tracking amount of time for responder text back and arrival, and number of overdose revivals.

Results: Currently, Vigilantidote has recruited 20-25 trained naloxone carrier responders. One live incident has been reported with a successful overdose revival. The responder texted back in two minutes and arrived with naloxone in nine minutes.

Implications: Vigilantidote may provide greater access to trained naloxone carriers and reduce overdose related deaths in the area. This is a step towards decreasing mortality from opioid overdose in Philadelphia and may eventually be utilized in other high density opioid overdose areas throughout the United States.

References:

  1. Philadelphia Department of Public Health. 2016 Overdoses From Opioids in Philadelphia. CHART 2017; 2(7):1–3.
  2. Wood, S. “Fatal Drug Overdoses in Philly Surged to 900 in 2016.” Philly.com. Web. 11 January 2017.
  3. Farr, S., Wood, S. “A Hidden Hellscape.” Philly.com. Web. 19 February 2017.

Authors: Korey Onulack, BS, MD(c);Camille Singh, BS, MD(c); and Winifred Wolfe, BA, MD(c).