Emergency Department Visits
People who experience an overdose may be brought to an emergency department for treatment. These data show emergency department visits in Philadelphia for overdoses from opioids and cocaine.
Opioid and Cocaine Overdoses
Counts are not mutually exclusive and an individual may have presented for both an opioid overdose and a cocaine overdose.
Between 2018 and 2020, the number of ED visits for cocaine and opioid overdoses decreased. During this time, the city also created several media campaigns aimed at increasing the public's knowledge around overdose and the use of naloxone. In 2022, the number of ED visits for cocaine overdose surpassed the number of ED visits for opioid overdose. In 2023, there were similar numbers of visits for opioid overdose and cocaine overdose.
Opioid Overdose
Age Group
Trends by age group are consistent with trends by age group seen in other routine surveillance. Of note, counts of individuals whose age was unknown are not shown. Calculations of counts, rates, and proportions include Philadelphia residents only.
Birth Sex
Trends by patient sex are consistent with trends by birth sex seen in other routine surveillance such as non-fatal inpatient hospitalizations for overdoses, as well as fatal overdose deaths. Calculations of counts, rates, and proportions include Philadelphia residents only.
Cocaine Overdose
Age Group
Trends by age group are consistent with trends by age group seen in other routine surveillance. Of note, counts of individuals whose age was unknown are not shown. Calculations of counts, rates, and proportions include Philadelphia residents only.
Birth Sex
Trends by patient sex are consistent with trends by birth sex seen in other routine surveillance such as non-fatal inpatient hospitalizations for overdoses, as well as fatal overdose deaths. Calculations of counts, rates, and proportions include Philadelphia residents only.