EpiPen Alternative

[YoutubeTheNP]

[video=youtube_share;OBRNyNSg2GY]https://youtu.be/OBRNyNSg2GY So I've never posted a video here so forgive me if I'm doing it the wrong way. I made a YouTube video about an alternative therapy to the EpiPen given its recent popularity in the news lately.

As required by AN, there is a link to all nurses in the description and the video itself :)

I'd appreciate any feedback you might have. I know some of you will have some constructive criticism, but please keep it friendly.

I made this video very fast because it's a hot topic right now and I didn't want to miss out. A video will usually take me 2 weeks to edit, gather material, voice over and other stuff. I made this whole video in 5 hours, so I apologize for any mistakes you might find :)

Enjoy the video.

[SmilingBluEyes]

I LIKE IT!!! I recommend patients be told they get a pre-filled syringe in ALL cases as we know too much epi can be deadly. But yea, I like it.

[blondy2061h, MSN, RN]

Why are you recommending 0.5mg, when 0.3 would be a standard dose?

[YoutubeTheNP]

0.3-0.5 are both acceptable doses.

[traumaRUs, MSN, APRN]

Great video - thanks for sharing!

Pre-hospital personnel are now using this method - drawing up high-dose (1:1000) in syringes from vials with filtered needles, swapping out the needle and then giving injection.

In Watertown, NY, they are doing the same thing: N.Y. Town's Fire Crews Using Epinephrine Syringes Instead of EpiPens

Many other places are doing this also.

[nutella, MSN, RN]

Your video certainly shows why you call yourself the Youtube NP!

Here is what I like:

- interesting presentation and good quality of video and voice - looks professional

- good explanation of the problem and the "cheaper" method (which in fact was the only thing we had before the autoinjector came along).

- good overall explanation of the steps required

Here are some other points to think about:

- do people understand that this would be for adults only?

-do people understand that if it is not drawn up correctly ("more helps more") too much can lead to serious problems including heart problems and cardiac arrest?

- do people get the idea that it is not a good idea to buy it somehow from the internet without prescription?

I think people who depend on epi pens because on anaphylaxis should certainly know about this option. I wonder if it would be better for people to get some face to face education in the doctor's office with a nurse who has them practice or demonstrate/ teach back to ensure that they are capable and understand with opportunity to ask question?

My husband who is not in the medical field was discharged some years ago with a vial of insulin, syringes and a gluco meter - he had never drawn up a syringe himself out of a vial and once home had already forgotten about the instruction he had received. The struggle was real.

[YoutubeTheNP]

Here are some other points to think about:

- do people understand that this would be for adults only?

-do people understand that if it is not drawn up correctly ("more helps more") too much can lead to serious problems including heart problems and cardiac arrest?

- do people get the idea that it is not a good idea to buy it somehow from the internet without prescription?

.

Thank you for the comment!

I did make the video with some assumptions in mind. The first being that I was talking in regards to the EpiPen only (adult dose) versus the EpiPen Jr.

As far as drawing up too much, I gave alternatives like asking the pharmacy to do it. I also plan to make a video showing how easy it is to draw up, if I get enough demand for it.

I would hope no one buys anything from .com pharmacies without a RX, I definitely do not endorse that. lol

Thanks for feedback!!

I thank you for the compliments regarding the audio/video. I think the second half of the video is a little on the quiet side. I think my mic was somewhat covered up during the recording.

[applesxoranges, BSN, RN]

Some of the benefits of the epipen is that it comes in kit form so you either lose all or none of it. Another benefit is that an untrained person could read the directions and hopefully administer it if the person goes unconscious. Another consideration is in my area, EMT-Bs can use the epipen but they are not trained to draw up meds. That falls under EMT-I/advanced-EMTs/specialists/whatever they are now and paramedics.

[nutella, MSN, RN]

Thank you for the comment!

I did make the video with some assumptions in mind. The first being that I was talking in regards to the EpiPen only (adult dose) versus the EpiPen Jr.

As far as drawing up too much, I gave alternatives like asking the pharmacy to do it. I also plan to make a video showing how easy it is to draw up, if I get enough demand for it.

I would hope no one buys anything from .com pharmacies without a RX, I definitely do not endorse that. lol

Thanks for feedback!!

I thank you for the compliments regarding the audio/video. I think the second half of the video is a little on the quiet side. I think my mic was somewhat covered up during the recording.

Yes, I am impressed by the quality !

I had thought about making small clips with instructions for patients/families to address most common questions they ask. But before I even got started on that I took a different position.

Do you use a professional camera?

[stevepressley]

Your video is very helpful. The problem is going to be at the schools...Good luck!

[CindyM60]

Great Video!

Comment - what is the stability of pre drawn epi ( or any drug for that matter) at room temperature?

Cindy RN, MN, OHS

Advanced Certified Practice - Remote

[OffTheGrid]

Thanks for your thoughtfulness in providing this video. Sure, it's not the perfect alternative, but it's a more honest one. No one will be getting a million dollar check from this option.