Feasibility of bystander-administered naloxone delivered by drone to opioid overdose victims.

Background: Currently, ≤5% of bystanders witnessing an opioid overdose (OD) in the US administer antidote to the victim. A possible model to mitigate this crisis would be a system that enables 9-1-1 dispatchers to both rapidly deliver naloxone by drone to bystanders at a suspected opioid OD and direct them to administer it while awaiting EMS arrival.

Methods: A simulated 9-1-1 dispatcher directed thirty subjects via 2-way radio to retrieve naloxone nasal spray from atop a drone located outside the simulation building and then administer it using scripted instructions.