Dear Shields Employees,
Across America there has been an increasing amount of discussion around the use of opioids, and overdose. In a
recent (and rare) public health advisory to the nation, the US Surgeon General, Dr. Jerome Adams, urged more
Americans to carry a potentially lifesaving medication that can reverse the effects of an opioid overdose. In his
advisory he emphasized the importance of the overdose-reversing medicine called Narcan and stressed “knowing
how to use Narcan and keeping it within reach can save a life”.
As health care providers, we are responsible for the health and safety of our patients, employees and community
members. I cannot emphasize enough the importance of equipping all Shields sites with Narcan and
preparing our staff to administer this lifesaving medicine to help save someone at risk of a known or
suspected opioid overdose.
Narcan is safe and highly effective; it works quickly to stop the effects of an overdose and buys extra time so that
emergency services have a better chance of saving a life. The threat of an ongoing opioid epidemic continues
with many lives at risk and because of this, Shields will now carry the FDA-approved drug called
NARCAN™(naloxone HCI) nasal spray at all of our locations.
Please take a few moments to read the FAQs below that outline the plan for training. Thank you for your support
of this important initiative.
Dr. Stephen Sweriduk
Medical Director
If you or someone you know maybe suffering from substance abuse, the Shields’ Employee
Assistance Program can help. The EAP information is: https://kgreer.com/members/login/
Username: shields Password: 9557
FAQs
❶What type of training will I receive in order to administer NARCAN nasal spray? Employees will be assigned
an on-line training video on how to administer NARCAN nasal spray through Shields’ Healthstream. Additionally
each center/location will receive an Opioid Overdose Response Guide which details step-by-step instructions on
how to recognize signs, administer the nasal spray and evaluate/support the individual while waiting for
emergency response teams to arrive.
❷Where will the NARCAN nasal spray be stored at each location? Two doses of NARCAN will be stored in the
crash carts at clinical sites. A designated area will be identified and communicated to employees at Corporate and
55 Christy’s Drive. We will work with our JV partners to determine their procedure.
❸How does NARCAN nasal spray work? If an opioid overdose is suspected:
CALL 911 immediately, then administer NARCAN.
The spray is administered in the nostril and does not require evidence of breathing through the nose during
administration. Opioid drugs work by acting on specific receptors found in the brain/nervous system. Naloxone,
the active ingredient in NARCAN nasal spray, stops the opioids from being attached to the receptors and this
reverses the effects and symptoms of the overdose.
❹What if a person is not overdosing and I give them NARCAN nasal spray? Will that hurt them?
NARCAN has no effect on someone who has no opioids in their system. It will not help anyone who is not in an
overdose, but it will not hurt them either.
❹What are the possible side effects of using NARCAN nasal spray? Serious side effects of naloxone are very
rare. The most common side effect is opioid withdrawal, since naloxone ejects the opioid from the receptors in
the brain. Common opioid withdrawal symptoms include aches, irritability, sweating, runny nose, diarrhea,
nausea and vomiting. Remember, call 911 first, then administer the first dose of NARCAN and ensure you get
emergency medical help right away.
❺Who should I contact if I have additional questions regarding the administration of NARCAN nasal spray?
Please contact your manager with any questions you may have and refer to the Narcan Policy, located on
PolicyHUB.
