800 Operations
Title Naloxone Number 823
Status Active
Adopted January 26, 20 17
Purpose
Act 139 of 2014 permits an individual in a position to assist a person at risk of opiod overdose to obtain and administer Nalox one. Nalox one (also commonly known as Narcan or Evzio) is a medication that can reverse an overdose that is caused by an opiod drug. When administered, during an overdose, Naloxone blocks the effects of opiods on the brain and respiratory system in order to prevent death. Naloxone has no potential for abuse and is a non-narcotic and non-addicting prescription drug.
Authority
As a means of enhancing the health and safety of its students, staff and visitors, the district may obtain, maintain and administer doses of an opioid antagonist and other facilities, specifically Naloxone, for emergency use to assist a student, staff member or visitor believed or suspected to be experiencing an opioid overdose. The district will store Naloxone at the high school levels and provide personnel who possess the training to administer Naloxone. [1][ 2]
Drug overdose - shall mean an acute medical condition, including, but not limited to, severe physical illness, coma, mania, hysteria or death, which is the result of consumption or use of one or more controlled substances causing an adverse reaction. An individual's condition may be deemed to be a drug overdose if a prudent person, possessing an average knowledge of
medicine and health, would reasonably believe that the condition is in fact a drug overdose and requires immediate medical attention.UJ
Naloxone- shall mean a medication that can reverse an overdose caused by an opioid drug. As a narcotic antagonist, Naloxone displaces opiates from receptor sites in the brain and reverses respiratory depression that usually is the cause of overdose deaths.
Opioid - shall mean illegal drugs such as heroin, as well as prescription medications used to treat pain such as morphine, codeine, methadone, oxycodone, hydrocodone, fentanyl, hydromorphone, and buprenorphine.
Delegation of Responsibility
The Superintendent or designee, in consultation with the school nurse(s) and the school physician, shall establish appropriate internal procedures for the acquisition, stocking and administration of Naloxone and related emergency response procedures pursuant to this policy.
The school physician shall be the prescribing and supervising medical professional for the district's stocking and use of Naloxone. The Superintendent or designee shall obtain a standing order from the school physician for administration of Naloxone.
The school nurse shall be responsible for building-level administration of Naloxone and management of Naloxone stocks.
The school nurse shall develop a plan for annually informing all parents/guardians, students and staff about this policy and specifically:
1. The availability of Naloxone to treat opioid drug overdoses and what it does;
2. The symptoms of opioid drug overdoses;
3. How students and staff should report suspected overdoses;
4. The protection from criminal prosecution provided by law for persons who report a suspected overdose using their real name and remain with the overdosing person until emergency medical services (EMS) or law enforcement arrive, as well as for the person whose overdose they report; and[1][2]
s. The protection from civil liability provided by law for persons who report overdoses or administer Naloxone in overdose emergencies.[1][2]
Administration of Naloxone shall not be required in circumstances of unavailability of Nalo xone, unavailability of a qualified Naloxone administrator, and/ or uncertainty as to whether an opioid overdose is occurring, among other reasons. This policy does not create a duty on the part of the Rose Tree Media School District and/or its personnel to administer Naloxone.
Standing Order From the School Physician
The school physician shall provide and annually renew a standing order for administration of Naloxone to students, staff members or other individuals believed or suspected to be experiencing an opioid overdose.
The standing order shall include at least the following information:
1. Type of Naloxone (intranasal and auto-injector).
2. Date of issue.
3. Dosage.
4. Signature of the school physician.
The standing order shall be maintained in the Superintendent's office, and copies of the standing order shall be kept in each location where Naloxone is stored.
Training
Before any school district employee may have custody of Naloxone or administer Naloxone under this policy, the employee must successfully complete an online Pennsylvania Department of Health training program about recognizing opioid-related overdoses, administering Naloxone and promptly seeking medical attention for drug overdoses. Evidence that such training has been completed shall be placed in the employee's personnel file.W
A list of school district employees who successfully complete such training shall be maintained, updated and kept in the school nurse's office and the school district administration office.
Acquisition, Storage and Disposal
Naloxone shall be safely stored in the school nurse's office or other location designated by the school nurse in accordance with the drug manufacturer's instructions.
The school nurse shall obtain sufficient supplies of Naloxone pursuant to the standing order in the same manner as other medical supplies acquired for the school health program. The school nurse or designee shall regularly inventory and refresh Naloxone stocks, and maintain records thereof, in accordance with the established internal procedures, manufacturer
recommendations and Department of Health Guidelines.
Administration of Naloxone
When responding to a suspected drug overdose, district employees shall follow the steps outlined below:
1. Call for medical help immediately (Dial 9-1-1).
2. Call for the school nurse.
3. Upon arrival to the individual, the school nurse shall follow the steps outlined in the
Pennsylvania Department of Health online training program for administration of
Naloxone including checking for signs of opioid overdose, performing rescue breathing (or if CPR is needed), administering Naloxone as instructed in the training, placing the individual in a recovery position as instructed in the training, stay with the individua l until emergency medical help arrives, and cooperate with EMS personnel responding to the incident.
4. The school nurse shall notify the building administrator.
Referral to Law Enforcement and Parental Notification
The Superintendent or designee shall immediately report incidents involving the use of controlled substances on school property, at any school-sponsored activity or on a conveyance providing transportation to or from a school or school-sponsored activity, to the local police department that has jurisdiction over the school's property, in accordance with state law and regulations, the procedures set forth in the memorandum of understanding with local law enforcement and Board policies.[3][4][5][6][7][8]
The Superintendent or designee shall notify the parent/guardian of any student directly involved in an incident involving use of controlled substances immediately, as soon as practicable. The Superintendent or designee shallinform the parent/guardian whether or not the local police department that has jurisdiction over the school property has been or may be notified of the incident. The Superintendent or designee shall document attempts made to reach the parent/guardian. [3] [8] [9].
Referral to Student Assistance Program
Any student who experiences a drug overdose shall be referred to the district's Student Assistance Program.
Indemnification
The school district shall indemnify and hold harmless any employee who administers Naloxone in good faith to another individual experiencing a suspected drug overdose, if all of these conditions apply: [10][11][ 21
1. The employee did not act with the intent to harm or with reckless indifference to a substantial risk or harm in administering Naloxone to that individual.
2. The employee successfully completed the training contemplated by this policy.
3. The employee promptly sought additional medical assistance before or immediately after administering Naloxone.
4. The employee is administering Naloxone pursuant to this policy.
Legal 1. 35 P.S. 780-113.7
2. 35 P.S. 780-1 13.8
3. 22 PA Code 1 0.2
4. 22 PA Code 10.21
5. 22 PA Code 10.22
6. 24 P.S. 1302.1-A
7. 24 P.S. 1 303-A
8. Pol. 227
9. 22 PA Code 1 0.25
10. 42 Pa. C.S.A. 8547
11. 42 Pa. C.S.A. 8548