August 31 marks International Overdose Awareness Day, a day to remember those who have been lost to overdose and to raise awareness for overdose prevention.
Tragically, more than 100,000 Americans die from overdose every year. A recent survey suggests that nearly one out of every three Americans know someone whose life has been cut short due to drug overdose. It is evident that more needs to be done to strengthen healthcare resources for those battling substance use issues or who experience an overdose.
Hospitals and their emergency departments are one of the most important resources available to patients who experience an overdose. Hospital emergency departments remain open twenty-four hours a day and are staffed by dedicated physicians, nurses and other caregivers who can help address emergency medical situations at any time.
A recent report revealed just how critical after-hours emergency departments are for communities across the country, including for patients experiencing overdose. New research shows that nearly half of all emergency department visits happen after hours, when there are limited other options for care, especially in emergency situations. Sixty-five percent of these after-hours visits happen after 8:00 pm, when even clinics and other providers that remain open into the evenings are likely to be closed. In 2021, two-thirds of overdose-related emergency department visits occurred after normal business hours. The sudden nature of overdoses and the need to respond quickly underscores the importance of having access to 24/7 hospital care for treatment and recovery. A hospital emergency department that is open around the clock can often mean the difference between life and death when a patient experiences an emergency.
To strengthen access to 24/7 patient care and ensure that everyone receives the care they need, it’s crucial that we strengthen the hospitals and health systems patients and communities rely on. Lawmakers must take action to ensure that mounting financial pressures and harmful practices from some corporate insurers don’t affect hospitals’ ability to provide 24/7 care to all who need it.
This International Overdose Awareness Day, we urge policymakers to take steps to protect patients by strengthening the hospitals, health systems and caregivers at the heart of emergency care and overdose treatment.