Narcan prescriptions in NH

Published

Governor Hassan just signed a bill to allow doctors to prescribe Narcan for those at risk of an overdose.

Thoughts?

Hassan signs bill allowing Narcan prescriptions | Politics - WMUR Home

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Specializes in retired LTC.

When I read NH, I thought - WOW! What a nursing home to need narcan as an order. Then I guess you're talking New Hampshire.

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Very sorry! Yes New Hampshire.

I've been thinking on this and still am not sure if I agree or not.

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Specializes in Critical Care, Education.

LOL - yeah, me too. I was thinking - "OMG, what kind of partying is going on in that Nursing Home???"

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Specializes in Healthcare risk management and liability.
StopOverdose.org - Opioid Overdose Prevention We now have this in Washington state, and it is the bees' knees in terms of reducing opioid overdose deaths. We stock it on our crash carts, local Fire/EMS/Law enforcement are carrying it, and people can now pick up a Narcan kit at a pharmacy with a prescription. I think it is a great idea. The nasal administration kit is somewhat expensive, however.
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Specializes in Critical Care.
Very sorry! Yes New Hampshire.

I've been thinking on this and still am not sure if I agree or not.

What is it you don't agree with?

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Specializes in OR, Nursing Professional Development.
PA is doing this now as well, where emergency responders and even friends/relatives of those at risk can obtain a prescription. Considering the recent spike of heroin overdoses (10 in 24 hours! 5 of those within 5 hours!!), I see available naloxone prescriptions (with the required education/training) as something that can only do good in bad situations.
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Specializes in Med/Surg, Ortho, ASC.
What is it you don't agree with?

You didn't ask me but I'll answer. What bothers me is the question of enabling a user to feel more free to (over)indulge, knowing that an overdose can be easily & quickly reversed. I can't decide how I feel about that.

OTOH, even as I type that, I think about the similarity to another issue. There are those who believe that birth control education leads to increased sexual activity and who would choose to withhold birth control from their kids.

I guess I've answered my own question.

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Specializes in Pediatrics, Emergency, Trauma.
When I read NH, I thought - WOW! What a nursing home to need narcan as an order. Then I guess you're talking New Hampshire.

That's what made me click on it...

Oh well. :rolleyes:

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Specializes in retired LTC.

Great minds think alike re NH!!! :cheeky:

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As a resident of NH, as well as a first responder and an RN, I'm torn with this. We now have law enforcement officers trained and licensed to administer Narcan for ODs, as We have a heroin epidemic here... Not sure what's worse, enabling users, or creating a potential shortage of Narcan!

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Specializes in UR/PA, Hematology/Oncology, Med Surg, Psych.

I've had experience in dealing with Heroin addicts in a non-nursing capacity and I truly don't believe allowing families/loved ones access to life saving Narcan is enabling the addict. An addict will lie, steal, and hurt whomever for a fix. They are aware of the risks of overdose, but the heroin is their #1. They are going to use whether a Narcan kit is nearby or not.

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