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  • 1.  Policy for administration of Naloxone (Narcan) in clinics

    Posted 02-13-2024 17:25

    I see from looking at past posts that use of Narcan in clinics has been discussed for several years. It would appear that the abuse of opioids in only increasing and the need to make Narcan widely available has been recommended. We have had two episodes in the last year of opioid overdose patients being brought to one of our clinics. For one we did not have Narcan available and EMS did not respond in time to administer Narcan. In the other, the individual was brought to a clinic with a pharmacy and after administration of 3 doses of the nasal spray the patient revived.

    We have a protocol for administration of Naloxone, but we want to put a policy into place as well. 

    I would sincerely appreciate if you are able to share your policy for administration of Naloxone? 

    Thank you,



    ------------------------------
    Ceresa Ward, MSN, RN
    Director of Nursing, Ambulatory Patient Care Services
    University of Missouri Health Care
    Columbia, MO 65212
    573-268-6879
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  • 2.  RE: Policy for administration of Naloxone (Narcan) in clinics

    Posted 02-14-2024 01:21

    Hi Ceresa,

     

    I'm sorry to hear about some of the poor outcomes associated with not having naloxone available on hand.  That is truly tragic, both for the patient, and for the nurses that were unable to help a patient under these circumstances.

     

    The VA has lots of resources that can be located here: Academic Detailing Services - Opioid Overdose Education & Naloxone Distribution (OEND) - Pharmacy Benefits Management Services (va.gov)

    This article highlights how naloxone is co-located with AEDs at some facilities: Saving Lives: The Veterans Health Administration (VHA) Rapid Naloxone Initiative - Joint Commission Journal on Quality and Patient Safety as well as a AED Cabinet Naloxone Program Implementation Toolkit: VAAEDNaloxoneToolkit_508.pdf.  This includes a sample policy from one VA facility and it is very comprehensive. 

     

    I hope this helps and best of luck!

     

     

    Very respectfully,

    Andrea Kossoudji, MS, MBA, RN, AMB-BC 

    Nurse Educator (detailed)

    NJ War Related Illness and Injury Study Center (WRIISC)

    AAACN VA SIG Chair 2023- 2024

    Field based San Diego, CA

    Mobile: 858-209-0914

    Leadership SIG

     

     




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