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Nalaxone/Narcan Training
Nalaxone/Narcan Training
Coordinator of Coffee County Coordinated School Health, Tonya Garner, M Ed. set up training for all district nurses, new SRO’s and principals to be trained and certified to administer Naloxone. Naloxone is a synthetic drug, similar to morphine, that blocks opiate receptors in the nervous system. Schools should be responsible for anticipating and preparing to respond to a variety of emergencies (Doyle, 2013). The school nurse is often the first health professional who responds to an emergency in the school setting. The school nurse possesses the education and knowledge to identify emergent situations, manage the emergency until relieved by emergency medical services (EMS) personnel, communicate the assessment and interventions to EMS personnel, and follow up with the healthcare provider. Harm reduction approaches to OPR overdose include expanding access to naloxone, an opioid overdose antidote, which can prevent overdose deaths by reversing life-threatening respiratory depression. When administered quickly and effectively, naloxone has the potential to immediately restore breathing to a victim experiencing an opioid overdose (Hardesty, 2014).OPR overdose kills thousands of Americans every year. Many of these deaths are preventable through the timely provision of an inexpensive, safe, and effective drug and the summoning of emergency responders (Davis, Webb & Burris, 2013). School nurses must be familiar and sensitized to the legal issues, which vary from state to state in terms of the prescription and availability of naloxone. They should review local and state policy on how to access naloxone and implement its use as part of their school emergency response protocol.It is also important to prevent students from ever misusing opiates. School nurses are crucial primary prevention agents in school communities. Through utilization of prevention materials, school nurses can provide valuable awareness and education on the dangers of prescription drug misuse to K-12 students and their families. In addition, school nurses can help families recognize signs and symptoms of substance abuse, guide them to locate resources, and assist them in making referrals for treatment of OPR addiction.
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