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Spring, TX April 7, 2025: A first-of-its-kind study conducted in the service area of ambulance-only Harris County ESD 11 in Northwest Harris County shows Low-dose Ketamine (LDK) administered via a nebulizer is safe and more effective than Fentanyl for treating traumatic pain in a prehospital setting.

The study conducted March 1, 2022- June 1, 2023, examined the pain management of 1480 people treated in the Harris County ESD 11 service area.  The results indicated not only a significant reduction in traumatic pain for patients, but also without the known side effects of traditional opioids.

Study co-author Jordan Anderson is the Chief Quality Officer at Harris County ESD 11 and a paramedic, he says Ketamine is often a better choice than traditional opioids as well because at low doses it does not affect a patient’s ability to breathe and can stimulate cardiac activity rather than depress it. “Traditional Fentanyl injection requires the additional pain and anxiety associated with an IV as well as the risk of chemical dependency.”

Traditionally medical first responders have used opioids to treat traumatic pain but with the opioid epidemic medical practitioners are searching for alternative methods that are safe and just as effective.  Low-dose Ketamine is not shown to cause dependency and can be a good option for patients who have developed a tolerance for opioids or are on long-term opioid treatment. 

About ESD 11 Mobile Healthcare 

Harris County ESD 11 covers a 177 square mile area of northern Harris County with over 700,000 residents, the largest Emergency Service District in the state of Texas.  Harris County ESD 11 receives over 65,000 call a year and consistently ranks among the best EMS services in the country for speed of response, patient satisfaction and quality of care. The Harris County ESD 11 Communication Center, known as Control, is recognized as an ACE Accredited Center of Excellence by the International Academies of Emergency Dispatch. This prestigious designation highlights our commitment to excellence in emergency dispatch services. As an ACE-accredited agency, we enjoy increased visibility in community service, enhanced support in litigation and liability management, and improved recruitment and retention, affirming the value and impact of our team’s work.