PROCUREMENT AND USE OF NALOXONE (NARCAN) IN EMERGENCY SITUATIONS | Policy Manual

5330.05 - PROCUREMENT AND USE OF NALOXONE (NARCAN) IN EMERGENCY SITUATIONS

In accordance with State law, the Board of Education shall procure Naloxone, also known by the brand name Narcan, for use in emergency situations. The Board has determined that it is in the best interests of its students and employees to have Naloxone available to be administered, if necessary, by appropriately trained employees, volunteers, or contractors who have been authorized by the Board to administer Naloxone to an individual who is apparently experiencing an opioid-related overdose. Therefore, the Board adopts this policy to govern the handling and administration of Naloxone consistent with the following processes, procedures, and limitations.

Each school in the District shall have at least two (2) authorized employees, volunteers, or contractors who have been trained in the appropriate use and administration of Naloxone. The training shall be done in a manner that has been approved by the school nurse or other designated medical professional. Only a nurse employed or contracted by the District or an appropriately trained school employee, volunteer, or contractor may possess and administer Naloxone.

Obtaining and Storing Naloxone

The Naloxone will be obtained from a pharmacist or other authorized distributor of the drug. Each school in the District shall possess at least one (1) package of Naloxone on site and shall store the drug in accordance with the manufacturer’s or distributor’s instructions. The drug must remain in its original manufacturer’s packaging at all times, and the packaging must contain the manufacturer’s instructions for proper use.

The Board will store a written copy of instructions regarding the emergency administration of the drug as well as the District’s protocols for responding to a potential overdose in the same location as the drug is stored. The protocols will include a requirement that emergency services be contacted as soon as practicable after each administration of Naloxone and the police or school resource officer and at least one (1) other staff member be present before the drug is administered.

A dose of Naloxone will be replaced at least annually or on the expiration date listed by the manufacturer, whichever occurs first. It shall be the responsibility of the school nurse to be sure that the supply of Naloxone is maintained at the appropriate level and that the supply of Naloxone has not expired.

Administration of Naloxone

Naloxone is available in a single-dose nasal spray and is designed for nasal administration only. Naloxone may be administered by a school nurse or a trained school employee, volunteer, or contractor to a student or other individual on school grounds who is believed to be experiencing an opioid-related overdose. The school nurse shall be responsible for coordinating the training of District employees to administer the Naloxone and maintaining the list of employees authorized to administer Naloxone.

An opioid-related overdose is a condition including, but not limited to, extreme physical illness, decreased level of consciousness, respiratory depression, coma, or death that results from the consumption or use of an opioid or another substance with which an opioid was combined. Signs of an overdose include loss of consciousness where a person cannot be woken up, breathing very slowly, making gurgling sounds, or not breathing at all, and lips appearing blue or gray in color. Individuals designated to administer Naloxone will receive training to identify when an individual may be experiencing an opioid-related overdose.

An individual who administers the drug will document the incident on the designated form in accordance with administrative guidelines.

Whenever a school employee, volunteer, or contractor administers Naloxone to a student, the school nurse shall promptly notify the student’s parent/guardian and will encourage the parent or guardian to seek treatment for the student from a substance use disorder services program.

In accordance with Ohio law, the Board, and its members, employees, volunteers, and contractors who act in good faith are not liable in a civil action for damages or subject to prosecution in any criminal proceeding or professional disciplinary action resulting from injuries arising from any acts or omissions associated with procuring, maintaining, accessing, or using naloxone in emergency situations in accordance with this policy and AG 5330.05.