Category: Federal Forum Posters
Purpose: Naloxone is a formulary opioid antagonist clinically used to reverse opioid overdose. Veterans have complex medical and social histories that may increase their risk of opioid misuse and abuse. Naloxone is not as widely distributed likely due to lack of education of both providers and patients. The combination of simplifying the prescribing process, increasing patient awareness of availability of naloxone, and provider and nursing education will increase the number of naloxone kits distributed and ultimately increase the safety of our Veterans at the Lebanon Veterans Affairs Medical Center.
Methods: This is a quality improvement study utilizing the patient electronic medical record system and the Stratification Tool for Opioid Risk Mitigation (STORM) database. A new protocol will be developed including the modification of the current naloxone education note that is used to generate the naloxone prescription in the electronic medical record system. The STORM database will be used to identify patients with very high and high risk of opioid overdose who are cared for by primary care physicians at the Lebanon Veterans Affairs Medical Center. Patients identified by the STORM database will be provided naloxone education by nurses and pharmacists in the primary care setting. Barriers and challenges during entire process will be identified by patient’s care team. Distribution of naloxone will be determined through the STORM database and appropriate education will be determined through education note in patient electronic medical record.
Results: Not applicable
Conclusion: Not applicable
Dana Achenbach
– Pharmacy Resident, Lebanon Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Lebanon, PA139 Views