Saving Lives with Naloxone
As healthcare providers, you play a critical role in addressing the opioid epidemic and saving lives from opioid overdose. Having naloxone readily available can mean the difference between life and death for individuals experiencing an opioid overdose.
Naloxone, also known as Narcan, is a medication that rapidly reverses opioid overdose by blocking the effects of opioids in the brain and restoring normal breathing. It is safe, easy to administer, and can quickly restore consciousness and breathing in individuals experiencing an opioid overdose. Naloxone is considered the first-line treatment for opioid overdose and is an essential tool in combating
the opioid crisis.
Naloxone is...
- free
- as safe as water
- effective
- not addictive
- easy to use
- life-saving
Naloxone is highly effective in reversing opioid overdose when administered promptly. It works by displacing opioids from their receptors in the brain, temporarily reversing the effects of the overdose and restoring normal breathing. Naloxone can be administered via intramuscular injection, intranasal spray, or auto-injector device, making it accessible and easy to use in emergency situations.
Integration into Practice
Integrating naloxone into your practice is a proactive step towards promoting patient safety and addressing the opioid epidemic and the Kane County Health Department can help.
Free Education and Training
KCHD staff can meet with your team in person or virtually to provide education and training on the signs and symptoms of opioid overdose, how to administer naloxone, and when to use it. Offer naloxone training sessions, online resources, or printed materials to ensure everyone is prepared to respond to an overdose.
Free Naloxone to Keep On-Hand
Ensure that naloxone is readily available in your healthcare facility, including emergency departments, primary care clinics, pharmacies, and other healthcare settings. We can provide you with as much as you need at no charge.
Distributing Naloxone
Consider giving naloxone to any patient at risk of an opioid overdose, including those with a history of opioid use disorder, chronic pain patients on high-dose opioids, individuals receiving opioid prescriptions for the first time, and those receiving opioid agonist therapy (e.g., methadone or buprenorphine). Discuss the importance of naloxone with patients and provide instructions on how to use it.
Kane County police departments -
ask us about Naloxone Leave-Behind Kits that we can provide at no charge for you to leave with anyone you think may be using opioids or their families.
Collaboration and Partnerships
The Kane County Health Department can collaborate with you and other community organizations and harm reduction programs to increase access to naloxone and promote overdose prevention initiatives. Let’s work together to create a naloxone distribution program, overdose response training events, and community outreach efforts to raise awareness and reduce stigma surrounding opioid overdose.
Having naloxone readily available can save lives and prevent opioid overdose fatalities. Please
contact us to discuss ways that we can partner to get naloxone into the hands of those who need it.
Resources
Bureau of Justice Assistance: Law Enforcement Naloxone Toolkit
SAMHSA: Five Essential Steps for First Responders
CDC: Naloxone Training for Nurses
National Association of School Nurses: Naloxone Education for School Nurses
Oncology Nursing Society: Naloxone Training: An Opportunity for Oncology Nurses to Save Lives
Evidence-Based Guidelines for EMS Administration of Naloxone
