Overdose surge in Sussex: Beebe ER in Lewes sees over 30 overdoses in 6 days
Over the last six days, Beebe Healthcare in Lewes has seen six times the usual number of overdoses, Emergency Department Dr. Paul Cowan said at a news conference Wednesday.
Cowan and other Beebe officials spoke following Tuesday's alert from Delaware State Police and the state Department of Health and Social Services related to a surge in overdoses in Sussex County.
Beebe has seen more than 30 overdoses in the six-day period since April 25, Cowan said, when typically, the hospital sees about five overdoses in that amount of time. Delaware State Police said their agency saw a "significant" increase in overdoses in Sussex from April 26 through April 30, at least one of which was fatal.
Many of the patients require a significant amount of naloxone to revive, and more than 11 have required mechanical ventilation and intubation, said Dr. Paul Sierzenski, Beebe's senior vice president and chief physician officer.
"These patients are unique in that they are much more critically ill than most. Many of these are requiring long-term care in our intensive care unit," Cowan said.
Delaware State Police added that many recent overdose victims experienced "uncontrollable convulsions despite administering anti-seizure medication."
More: Fatal overdoses in Delaware appear to be going down, but new troubling trends are emerging
A preliminary investigation by police found the substances involved were packaged in small, white, wax-covered paper bags. Such bags are typically associated with heroin, which is sometimes cut with dangerous substances like fentanyl or xylazine.
The recent overdoses show no patterns related to age, sex or race, Division of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Director Joanna Champney said, and the cases are spread widely throughout Sussex County.
"It's the same spots where drug use is already occurring," she said.
The division is ramping up Narcan (naloxone) distribution in Sussex, with Beebe receiving an extra 1,300 kits Wednesday.
More: For the first time in 10 years, Delaware sees a drop in fatal overdoses. Six reasons why
While the surge in overdoses is happening primarily in Delaware's southernmost county, the rest of the state should "exert extreme caution" as well, Champney said.
She advised health care professionals to encourage patients not to use alone and recommended they test their drugs. Repeat doses of Naloxone may be necessary to restore normal breathing, she said, and 911 should be called at the first signs of an overdose.
Support for those struggling with substance abuse and a list of Narcan training events are available at helpisherede.com. In Sussex, patients can talk with clinicians about substance abuse regardless of their insurance status at the Thurman Adams State Service Center at 546 S. Bedford St. in Georgetown.
Assistance for those struggling with substance abuse is also available through the following avenues:
911: In cases of overdose or medical emergencies, dial or text 911.
988: For immediate crisis support, dial 988.
Delaware 211: Dial 211 or visit delaware211.org for free, confidential assistance in multiple languages.
Delaware Hope Line: Call 833-9-HOPEDE (833-946-7333) for 24/7 access to resources, support, and crisis assistance.
Treatment Connection: Find nearby treatment providers at TreatmentConnection.com.
Shannon Marvel McNaught reports on southern Delaware and beyond. Reach her at smcnaught@gannett.com or on Twitter @MarvelMcNaught.
This article originally appeared on Delaware News Journal: Overdoses surge at Beebe ER in Lewes and across Sussex County
