• Announcements 0
  • Find a nurse
  • Make a complaint
  • Login
  • Search
  • About us
  • Protect the public
  • Become a nurse
  • Maintain your permit
  • Standards and learning
  1. Standards and learning
  2. Responsibilities for distributing Take Home Naloxone Kits and Narcan® Nasal Spray (naloxone)
Announcements

1 / 3

Responsibilities for distributing Take Home Naloxone Kits and Narcan® Nasal Spray (naloxone)

Registered nurses can distribute the drug naloxone in community settings. The information below will support RNs in doing this.

For any questions, please contact practice@nurses.ab.ca.

Background

In response to the rising number of opioid-related overdoses and deaths in Alberta, the Scheduled Drugs Regulation under the Pharmacy and Drug Act was amended. Naloxone for use in emergency treatment of opioid overdose outside of a hospital setting was removed from the Schedule 2 drug list to enable the distribution of naloxone in the community.

Requirements

RNs can reduce morbidity and mortality related to opioid overdose by providing access to naloxone, education, resources, and tools to those at risk.

RNs are responsible to:

  • practice safely, competently and ethically in accordance with practice standards
  • support the principles of harm reduction
  • engage with and promote collaboration with clients, community partners and health-care providers on harm reduction
  • be knowledgeable about overdose prevention, recognition and response
  • distribute naloxone (THN) kits or the Narcan® Nasal Spray (naloxone) as outlined by or supplied by their employer
  • perform the appropriate client assessment to ensure the safe and consistent distribution of Take Home naloxone kits or Narcan® Nasal Spray (naloxone)
  • provide client education to address learning needs
  • report issues or unforeseen situations that may compromise the health of the client(s) or limit access to harm reduction resources and addiction and mental health services
  • refer clients to other care providers when required
  • support systems that enable the client to make informed decisions and self-select naloxone, whenever possible
  • document the distribution of the THN kit according to employer policy
  • follow all employer directives and policy for distribution of the Naloxone (THN) kits.

Information

Alberta Health Services

Community Based Naloxone Program

Community based Naloxone overdose response kit training program

Overdose response and administration of Naloxone

Save me steps

CARNA

Distribution record

Naloxone client knowledge checklist

NARCAN training

 

Standards and learning
Document library
Learning opportunities
Case studies
Events and conferences
Knowledge check
Learning modules
Professional practice huddles
Perks for nurses
Specialty practice groups
Webinars
You Asked Us
Legislation
Practice consultations
Aesthetic nursing
Cannabis for medical purposes
Cervical cancer screening
Collaborative practice in nursing
Harm reduction
Immunization
Infection prevention and control
Prescribing CDS for nurse practitioners
Medical assistance in dying
Responsibilities for distributing Take Home Naloxone Kits and Narcan® Nasal Spray (naloxone)
Restraints
RN competency profile
RN prescribing and ordering diagnostic tests
Telepractice and virtual care
Social media and e-professionalism
Contact Us

Toll Free: 1 (800) 252-9392
Tel: (780) 451-0043
Fax: (780) 452-3276
Email: carna@nurses.ab.ca


For media inquiries, please email:
communications@nurses.ab.ca

Our Location

11120 178 Street
Edmonton, AB T5S 1P2

Appointment Hours

We are only accepting visitors with appointments.
Call and press 0 to speak with reception.

Monday - Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. MST

Protecting the public,
evolving the profession



Privacy policy


© 2021 College and Association of Registered Nurses of Alberta