Increasing Naloxone Knowledge and Use Through Direct-to-Patient Education

Abstract

Background: In the United States, opioid overdoses account for 130 deaths daily. Barriers to obtaining naloxone, the drug-of-choice for opioid overdose reversal, include limited education, access, and perceptions of provider judgement. Objectives: This study aimed to assess the efficacy of mailed education about naloxone, with or without a live teaching seminar, to patients at risk for opioid overdose. Methods: This observational study was conducted in a federally qualified health system. A phone presurvey was administered to patients on long-term opioid therapy or with a diagnosis of opioid use disorder to assess opioid overdose-related knowledge. Subjects were mailed a handout about naloxone and an invitation to receive naloxone at no cost at a seminar. Three-month phone postsurveys were conducted. The primary outcome was change in mean knowledge score from presurvey to postsurvey. Secondary outcomes included scores on individual survey items, naloxone prescriptions provided, and overdose reversals reported. Results: Ninety-four patients received mailed education. Sixty-two subjects took presurveys and 23 took 3-month follow-up surveys. Five subjects attended the live seminar. The mean cumulative knowledge score improved by 8.7% from the presurvey to the postsurvey. During the study period, one new naloxone prescription was written and one overdose reversal was reported. Conclusion: Direct-to-patient mailed education slightly improved knowledge regarding naloxone and opioid overdose response, and it may have led to one successful overdose reversal. Mailing education to a larger population of patients at risk for opioid overdose may be necessary to observe a substantial clinical impact.