Current through Register Vol. 50, No. 9, September 20, 2024
A. First
responders who will possess and administer naloxone or other opioid antagonists
shall be trained on, at a minimum, the following:
1. standards and procedures for storage and
administration of naloxone or other opioid antagonists in accordance with the
guidelines of the manufacturer of the product or device. Because opioid
antagonists can be administered through a nasal atomizer or through injection,
the standards and procedures established by the manufacturer of the specific
product or device to be used by the first responder shall be covered in the
training;
2. patient assessment in
order to recognize the signs/symptoms of an opioid-related overdose, which
often includes:
a. face is extremely pale
and/or clammy to the touch;
b. body
is limp;
c. fingernails or lips
have a blue or purple cast;
d. the
patient is vomiting or making gurgling sounds;
e. the patient cannot be awakened or is
unable to speak;
f. breathing is
very slow or stopped;
g. heartbeat
is very slow or stopped.;
3. contraindications of an opioid-related
overdose;
4. emergency follow-up
procedures, which may include:
a. calling 911
if not done prior to the first responders arrival on scene or the
administration of naloxone or other opioid antagonist.
b. administering a second dose of naloxone or
other opioid antagonist if the patient does not respond.
c. performing rescue breathing or CPR if
certified or instructions are provided by a 911 operator or
dispatcher.
d. recognizing typical
responses to treatment with naloxone or other opioid antagonists;
5. documenting the administration
of naloxone or other opioid antagonists and retaining such documentation in
accordance with law and agency policy;
6. safely disposing of used administration
devices and replacement of administration devices.
B. It is recommended that training for first
responders also include laws relating to possession and administration of
naloxone or other opioid antagonists by third parties, and immunity for
reporting of drug overdoses.
C.
Training resources are available through the Substance Abuse and Mental Health
Services Administration (SAMHSA), which has developed an opioid overdose
toolkit available online through its website: www.samhsa.gov. Furthermore, the Bureau of Justice
Assistance (BJA) has developed a law enforcement naloxone toolkit which is
available online through its website: www.bja.gov. Furthermore, as provided by
R.S.
40:978.1, a law enforcement agency or fire
department may enter into a written agreement to affiliate with an ambulance
service provider or a physician for the purposes of obtaining a supply of
naloxone or other opioid antagonist or and/or to obtain training necessary to
safely and properly administer naloxone or other opioid antagonists to
individuals who are believed to be undergoing an opioid-related drug
overdose.
AUTHORITY NOTE:
Promulgated in accordance with
R.S.
40:978.1(F) and
R.S.
14:403.11.
