Overdose

PulsePoint and Opioid Overdose

What Are We Doing?

Informing the public about how Allegheny County's PulsePoint program intersects with the opioid epidemic
Encouraging the public, our EMS partners, and local government to work together to leverage our citizen responders to reduce mortality due to drug overdose
PulsePoint works exactly the way it always has in Allegheny County, but we want you to be aware that your participation may have an impact on overdose cases.

Why Are We Doing It?

Almost 30% of all PulsePoint dispatches in the City of Pittsburgh since July 2016 have been overdose related.
Of these, 13% required CPR and 57% required naloxone administration. These are life saving tools that can be used by lay people to prevent death from overdose.

What Can I Do to Help?

Download PulsePoint and turn on your CPR alerts.*
If you get an alert, you can potentially save a life by:
- Giving CPR if needed
- Administering naloxone
- Using an AED if needed
Naloxone is now available over-the-counter in Pennsylvania. Those who carry it can potentially save a life.
Never put your safety at risk. Make sure the scene is safe before responding.
Never obstruct Public Safety personnel (Police, Fire, EMS).

*At this time, there is no separate notification for overdose alerts. PulsePoint alerts are triggered by any 9-1-1 code for "not breathing", "agonal breathing", or "breathing uncertain". Whether a cardiac arrest, an overdose, or a cardiac arrest caused by an overdose, immediate bystander intervention is needed to increase the likelihood of survival.