*NOTE* The above number was selected because it is under line procedures and follows policies regarding medical emergencies, hospital procedures and illness, injury or death notifications.

Purpose

This policy establishes broad guidelines and regulations governing the use of Naloxone (Narcan) by trained personnel. The objective is to treat and reduce injuries and fatalities due to suspected opioid-involved overdoses and accidental exposure.

Naloxone is a valuable tool that can assist the Department in preventing overdose deaths.  Naloxone helps mitigate the effects of opioid exposure and allows time for more advanced medical treatment by trained Emergency Medical Services (EMS) personnel.  

Policy

Nasal Naloxone (Narcan) is a single dose cartridge that is intended to reduce deaths associated with opioid overdose.  Law enforcement staff may possess and administer Naloxone so long as they have completed training in accordance with protocol specified by Regions Hospital’s Emergency Medical Services attending medical director for use by the Saint Paul Police Department (Minn. Stat.§ 151.37; Minn. Stat. §604A.04). 

Definitions

Opioid:   A medication or drug that is derived from the opium poppy or that mimics the effect of an opiate. Opiate drugs are narcotic sedatives that depress activity of the central nervous system; these will reduce pain, induce sleep, and in overdose, will cause people to stop breathing.  First responders often encounter opiates in the form of morphine, methadone, codeine, heroin, fentanyl, oxycodone, and hydrocodone.    

Naloxone:   An opioid antidote such as naloxone hydrochloride or any other similarly acting and equally safe drug approved by the US Food and Drug Administration for the treatment of drug overdose.   Naloxone is a medication which acts as an opioid antagonist and counters the effects of opioid overdoses.  It is marketed under the trade name Narcan.

Training

The Saint Paul Police Department will maintain an up-to-date training curriculum, which has been approved by the Regions Hospital’s Emergency Medical Services medical director, and will ensure that all personnel participating in the Naloxone program are properly trained in its deployment. Only personnel who are trained in the recognition of signs of opiate overdose and the use of Naloxone may administer the opioid overdose medication. 

Department Naloxone Departmental Coordinator

The Executive Sergeant of the Major Crimes Division, or his/her designee, is the department coordinator for the Naloxone program.  Responsibilities of the Naloxone program coordinator shall include:

  1. Coordinating and implementing the initial training for personnel participating in the Naloxone program and maintain training records.
  2. Implementing the proper inventory controls and safeguards for Naloxone issued to staff of the Saint Paul Police Department.
  3. Ensuring that any use of Naloxone on a subject is documented in writing, and compiling administrative records regarding the departmental use of Naloxone.
  4. Maintaining an adequate supply of Naloxone and replacing any product that is damaged, unusable, expired or deployed.

Naloxone Deployment

If Saint Paul Police personnel encounter a victim of what appears to be a drug overdose, they shall:

  1. Maintain scene safety and personal universal precautions.
  2. Perform victim assessment to determine unresponsiveness, absence of breathing, and/or lack of pulse.
  3. Provide basic life support practices as needed.
  4. Perform situational assessment to determine that it is more likely than not that the victim’s condition is an opiate overdose.
  5. Request standard EMS response if not already in progress.
  6. Administer 4 mg Naloxone into one nostril as trained.
  7. Continue to provide basic life support care to the victim.
  8. Update responding EMS service of;
    1. amount given, and
    2. any change in condition

Mandatory Reporting Requirements

1. If an original report was required to document this incident outside of the medical intervention provided, officers will document the incident to include the fact that Naloxone was deployed.  If the incident would not have generated a report to document a criminal act, officers must upon completing the medical assist, generate an original report to detail the nature of the incident, the care the patient received and the fact that Naloxone was deployed. 

2. Personnel will also complete a Naloxone Administration form for documentation purposes to include a description of the individual’s condition, behavior, the fact that Naloxone was deployed, medical response, hospital transport and final outcome of the response and forward the completed form to the executive sergeant of the Major Crimes division who will maintain the data.

Maintenance/Replacement of Naloxone

Staff qualified to administer Naloxone should handle, store and administer the medication consistent with their training and the manufacturer’s instructions.  Exposure to freezing temperatures, extreme heat or direct sunlight may deteriorate the medication and significantly reduce its effectiveness.  In order to ensure that the naloxone is stored safely and consistent with the manufacturer’s guidelines, it is recommended that staff carry their 4mg dose of Naloxone on their person rather than storing in a vehicle or duty bag. 

Personnel should check the Naloxone nasal spray at the beginning of their shift to ensure that it is serviceable and not expired.  Used, lost, damaged or expired doses of Naloxone will be replaced after drafting an original report describing the circumstances and submitting to the executive sergeant of the Major Crimes division.

Issued November 16, 2017

Last Edited: November 17, 2017