Mary Madison, RN, RAC-CT, CDP
Clinical Consultant – Briggs Healthcare
This month’s newsletter focuses on establishing and monitoring a Naloxone program for your nursing facility. Become informed about regulatory guidance and share new COE-NF resources that will assist your facility in implementing an effective Naloxone program.
- What is Naloxone?
- Naloxone and Nursing Facility Regulatory Guidance
- COE-NF Resources for Naloxone Use in Nursing Facilities
- Naloxone in Nursing Facilities: HOW IT SAVES LIVES
- Naloxone in Nursing Facilities: A Checklist for Process Review
- Using Naloxone to Respond to an Overdose in a Nursing Facility
- June 27th is Post Traumatic Stress Disorder Awareness Day
- Did You Know?
- Register for Upcoming COE-NF Training Sessions
- You Matter – Caring for Yourself in the Face of Challenging Work
This newsletter is hot-off-the-press so I’m providing the information below. You can access past newsletters here. Subscribe to the Center of Excellence for Behavioral Health in Nursing Facilities monthly newsletter here.
What is Naloxone?
Naloxone, sometimes called by its brand name, Narcan, is a drug that reverses respiratory depression caused by an opioid overdose. Having Naloxone readily available in nursing facilities is an opioid harm-reduction best practice that can save lives. The COE-NF has developed resources to support nursing facilities in developing effective Naloxone programs.
Naloxone and Nursing Facility Regulatory Guidance
| Guidance related to Naloxone can be found in the CMS Appendix PP State Operations Manual in F689 Accidents (Pg. 338). The guidance notes that it can be common for residents with a history of Substance Use Disorder (SUD) to have a relapse that may result in a drug overdose. Not all relapses or overdoses are preventable, however facilities are expected to be prepared to respond to an emergency such as an overdose. This includes having Naloxone available in the facility, and maintaining staff who are knowledgeable about the warning signs of a potential overdose and how to respond and administer opioid reversal agents such as Naloxone. Additional guidance in F697 Pain Management (Pg. 413) notes that facilities should have a written policy to address opioid overdoses. To summarize the Naloxone related regulatory guidance: Have Naloxone available in the facility. Have a written policy that addresses opioid overdoses. Ensure staff are knowledgeable about: Warning signs of an opioid overdose Steps to take in emergency response to an opioid overdose How to administer opioid reversal agents such as Naloxone Source: CMS Appendix PP State Operations Manual, Pg. 338, 413 |
| COE-NF Resources for Naloxone Use in Nursing Facilities The COE-NF developed three resources related to Naloxone in nursing facilities. Whether you have already established a Naloxone program, or are just getting started, these resources can help you and the nursing facility staff become more knowledgeable about Naloxone, successfully implement a Naloxone program in your facility, and be ready to respond in the event of an emergency. Naloxone in Nursing Facilities: How it Saves Lives This two-page flyer highlights the following information: Facts about Naloxone Why you should have it available in your facility How to establish a Naloxone program, How to respond to signs of an opioid overdose. Click HEREto view and download the flyer. Naloxone in Nursing Facilities: A Checklist for Process Review The COE-NF developed a one-page checklist to assist nursing facilities when using Naloxone or evaluating existing Naloxone policies and procedures. Whether you have already established a Naloxone program, or are just getting started, this checklist will help ensure you are addressing all appropriate policy and procedure areas. Click HERE to view and download the flyer. Using Naloxone to Respond to an Overdose in a Nursing Facility This double-sided flyer summarizes warning signs of an overdose and the 5 steps to respond to an overdose and administer Naloxone. Consider keeping copies of this flyer in multiple areas accessible to all staff for reference in case of an overdose. Click HERE to view and download the flyer. |
June 27th is Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) Awareness Day
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder Awareness Day is dedicated to creating awareness regarding PTSD. Take this day to reflect on your facility’s care for residents who have experienced a traumatic event.
In May, the COE-NF offered a 30-minute session called An Introduction to Creating a Trauma-Informed Culture in the Post-Acute and Long-Term Care Facility. Click HERE to view the recording and slides from that session and share it with your staff.
On Thursday, June 22, join us for a second session further exploring trauma-informed care concepts and how they can apply to residents in nursing facilities. Click HEREto register for this session.
Narcan (brand name of Naloxone) was first made available as a prescription medication in 2015, and the FDA recently announced its approval as an over-the-counter medication.
Naloxone was granted priority review status due to its critical role in preventing opioid overdose deaths. In the last 12 months of available data, the United States recorded over 100,000 fatal drug overdoses.
Source: FDA.GOV
Caring for residents in a nursing facility can be both rewarding and challenging. When taking care of residents, it is important to be aware of your own triggers. A trigger is a person, place, thing or situation that may cause an unexpected emotional response.
Five things you can do when experiencing your own triggers:
- Be aware of what is happening
- Notice the changes in your bodily responses
- Step away from the situation if possible
- Ask for support
- Practice self-care
It is your empathy for others that helps you do this work. It is vital to take good care of your thoughts and feelings by monitoring how you use them.
Four ways to become better at managing your feelings:
- Managing your feelings is a conscious process. Self-talk can help regulate your emotions.
- Use images that make you feel safe and protected or connected and cared for to help you return to a calm emotional place.
- Find rituals that help you manage your feelings as you start and stop work.
- Breathe slowly and deeply to calm yourself when dealing with a difficult situation.
Check out these upcoming webinars here:
The Center of Excellence for Behavioral Health in Nursing Facilities (COE-NF) provides mental health and substance use evidence-based training, customized technical assistance, and resources to certified Medicare and Medicaid nursing facilities who care for residents with a variety of behavioral health conditions at absolutely no cost. To submit a request for assistance, complete the online request form at https://engage.allianthealth.org/e/810993/2023-06-14/5vcc9y/1539455011?h=VNrrv_f74AOGz6hSnuBCJ0FFCNU9FHLuJvAUsea1g98
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