Care of Non-Fatal Overdose in Emergency Departments

The NYC Department of Health has created a three-step guidance for the care of patients presenting to NYC emergency departments following a non-fatal overdose. The guidance was developed in collaboration with an expert clinical advisory group of emergency department physicians. It promotes high quality patient care and supports providers to reduce overdose deaths.

The three steps for providers to follow are:

  1. Provide overdose prevention education, including risk reduction strategies and how to respond to an overdose.
  2. Provide naloxone.
  3. Recommend ongoing care, including effective treatment with buprenorphine or methadone.

For more information or technical assistance, email buprenorphine@health.nyc.gov.

Additional Resources