Rhode Island uses emergency data to track overdose patterns across the state.
By watching this data closely, health officials can see where help is needed most and act quickly to save lives. The state uses information from hospital visits to power the Overdose Spike Alert System. When the system detects a sudden increase (or “spike”) in overdoses, it sends out an alert. You can join the mailing list to receive these alerts and stay updated on community safety.
The Rhode Island Department of Health (RIDOH) gathers information from two main sources to get a full picture of what is happening in the state:
- EMS (Ambulances): Records from 911 calls where emergency responders treat a suspected opioid overdose.
- ESSENCE (Hospital Data): Real-time records from Emergency Departments when someone seeks care for an overdose.
Learn more about the ESSENCE and EMS datasets on the RIDOH Data Hub.
Note: As of December 31, 2025, the state updated its tracking system. RIDOH now uses the ESSENCE database instead of the older 48-Hour Reporting System to ensure the data is as modern and accurate as possible.
Emergency Medical Services (EMS) respond to 911 calls for overdose across Rhode Island.
When a 911 call is made or someone enters the hospital, specific details are collected, such as when and where the overdose happened. This information is sent to the health department in real-time.
We continually monitor emergency department visits for overdose.
When someone visits an emergency department for overdose, their information is sent to health departments in real-time. This data allows health departments to monitor trends and send out Overdose Spike Alerts. These alerts are sent out when a certain number of overdoses have been detected in a short amount of time.
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