Alliance for Pandemic Preparedness

December 4, 2020

Overdose-Related Cardiac Arrests Observed by Emergency Medical Services During the US COVID-19 Epidemic

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  • A retrospective observational analysis using the National Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Information System showed that through August 1, 2020, overdose-related cardiac arrests in 2020 totaled 49.5 per 100,000 EMS activation (48.5% above baseline). Peak rates in May were more than double baseline levels from 2018 and 2019. Overdose-related EMS activation values were similar before and during reductions in mobility, with 1635.2 per 100,000 EMS activations before March 16 and 1760.7 per 100,000 EMS activations after March 16 (18.5% and 16.7%, respectively, relative to baseline).

Friedman et al. (Dec 3, 2020). Overdose-Related Cardiac Arrests Observed by Emergency Medical Services During the US COVID-19 Epidemic. JAMA Psychiatry. https://doi.org/10.1001/jamapsychiatry.2020.4218