35th AM (2024) - Poster Session-Naloxone Distribution

Naloxone Distribution

Pdf Summary

A retrospective chart review conducted between December 2023 and March 2024 at Mount Sinai Hospital focused on naloxone prescribing practices for psychiatric inpatients at risk of opioid overdose. Out of 90 patients, only 37.8% received a naloxone kit at discharge, although 17% had documented opioid overdose histories. Despite training, providers often struggled to offer naloxone to the correct patients, suggesting difficulties in risk identification and systemic barriers such as time constraints and unclear workflows. <br /><br />Surveys conducted before and after a training session revealed that while all healthcare providers felt responsible for prescribing naloxone, only a minority did so regularly: 4% “almost always,” and 13% “often.” Common barriers included limited time during consultations, forgetfulness, unclear distribution procedures, and discomfort with the educational process of naloxone use.<br /><br />The study highlights a critical gap in naloxone distribution despite its known efficacy in reversing opioid-induced respiratory depression. The hospital, a registered opioid overdose prevention program since 2017, already supports naloxone distribution in various settings, emphasizing fast, safe, and effective community-based opioid antagonism without the risk of misuse.<br /><br />The study recommends implementing more streamlined processes and enhanced prescriber education to increase naloxone distribution to all patients being discharged at risk of opioid overdose, irrespective of their documented substance use history. Future efforts will evaluate whether improved prescribing practices can enhance coverage and reduce the risk of overdose in the broader community.<br /><br />Additionally, the document notes that in 2023, U.S. overdose deaths reached 107,543, with opioids accounting for 75%, highlighting the pressing need for comprehensive overdose prevention measures.

Keywords

naloxone prescribing

opioid overdose

Mount Sinai Hospital

psychiatric inpatients

risk identification

systemic barriers

naloxone distribution

overdose prevention

prescriber education

opioid crisis

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