Policy Text
USE OF NALOXONE
EFFECTIVE DATE: 01/26/2023 STANDARD NO. 10-101
OBJECTIVE: To establish policy, guidelines and regulations regarding the utilization of Naloxone
by trained Personnel of the Homestead Police Department (HPD).
POLICY: It is the policy of the Homestead Police Department to ensure that Departmental
Personnel, in the absence of trained emergency medical personnel, are properly
trained in the use and deployment of Naloxone in accordance with the laws of the
State of Florida and commonly accepted medical practices.
SCOPE: All employees of the Homestead Police Department shall be governed by the
procedures set forth below.
I. DEFINITIONS:
A. Administer, Administration, deployment, or use of Naloxone – To introduce an emergency
opioid antagonist into the body of persons who are possibly experiencing the symptoms
of an opioid overdose.
B. Naloxone Hydrochloride (Naloxone) – An opioid antagonist for reversal of respiratory
depression and other opioid effects in persons who are experiencing the symptoms of an
opioid overdose. Naloxone is a colorless and odorless liquid.
C. Opioids – A class of drugs that derive from, or mimic, natural substances found in the
opium poppy plant. Opioids work in the brain to produce a variety of effects, including
pain relief. Examples include fentanyl, carfentanil, heroin, oxycodone, methadone,
morphine, codeine, opium, hydrocodone and name brand drugs such as Percocet, Vicodin
and Demerol.
D. Overdose – Florida State Statute defines an overdose as a condition, including, but not
limited to, extreme physical illness, decreased level of consciousness, respiratory
depression, coma, or death resulting from the consumption or use of any controlled
substance that requires medical attention, assistance or treatment, and clinical suspicion
for drug overdose, such as a respiratory depression, unconsciousness, or altered mental
status, without other conditions to explain the clinical condition.
E. Naloxone Liaison – The training division supervisor.
Departmental Personnel or Personnel – a person employed by HPD.
F.
Patient – a person, whether a suspect or not, possibly suffering an Overdose.
G.
Use of Naloxone – SOP#10-101
II. OBJECTIVE:
A. To treat and reduce injuries and fatalities due to opioid-involved overdoses, in
circumstances where Departmental Personnel are the first responders to arrive at the scene
of a suspected Overdose or where an employee may become exposed to an Opioid.
III. PROCEDURES:
A. Training – All Departmental Personnel will complete initial Naloxone training prior to being
issued a Naloxone nasal spray kit. The training will include:
1. An overview of Florida State Statutes as they relate to this policy.
2. Patient assessment to identify the signs and symptoms of opioid overdose.
3. Universal precautions and infection control when administering Naloxone nasal spray
kit or handling and collecting evidence.
4. Accidental exposure protocols and procedure.
5. Summoning medical assistance.
6. Use and Administration of Naloxone nasal spray.
7. Required reports and documentation relating to the administration of Naloxone.
8. Proper protocols for carrying and storing Naloxone nasal spray kit.
9. Tactics for potential Patient reactions when regaining consciousness as individuals who
are revived from an Opioid Overdose frequently regain consciousness in an agitated or
combative state and may exhibit symptoms associated with withdrawal.
10. Proper recovery position a supporting care of Patient.
11. After receiving initial training, personnel will be required to receive recertification training
biannually, which will coincide with the CPR recertification schedule. This training will
consist of an overview of the initial training, including:
a) Updates to policy and/or State Statutes
b) Refresher of Patient assessment and universal precautions.
c) Refresher on the use and Administration of the nasal spray.
d) Simulated/scenario based Administration.
12. During the biannual recertification training, the Naloxone Liaison, or designee, will
conduct an inspection of the Naloxone nasal spray kits of participating Personnel.