Original Date: 3/31/2020 * Last Revision Effective: 4/18/2024
Policy Contact: Vice President, Administrative Services
Purpose
These procedures establish the maintenance, administration, and management of naloxone, opioid overdose reversal medication, at Bellevue College.
Procedures
Purchase of Medication
- The college will use Narcan brand naloxone hydrochloride nasal spray.
- At minimum, a ratio of two naloxone kits per 150 student residents will be available for use at the college; the college may increase the number of kits available based on the recommendation of local emergency medical providers or if the college wishes to have additional sets as a precaution for students that do not live on campus.
Maintenance and Location of Medication
- Medication will be stored based on manufacturer’s recommendations and those of local emergency medical providers.
- Medication will be stored in the public safety office, in resident halls; and other locations determined by the vice president of administrative services and the vice president of student affairs.
- Public safety personnel will conduct physical inspections of all BC-issued naloxone kits every six months to ensure the kits have not expired, are being stored according to manufacturer’s specifications, and have not been tampered with.
- Public safety will replace any used, expired, or damaged kits.
- The college will affix signage to indicate medication locations, as appropriate.
Training of Designated Personnel
- Public safety will coordinate and track the training of all personnel, which includes, but is not limited to:
- All public safety personnel
- All housing professional staff and resident assistants
- Other members of the college community–including students–who wish to participate in the program and meet the training and administration requirements listed below
- At a minimum, training will include:
- Online video provided by the University of Washington
- Familiarization with storage locations on campus
- First Aid/CPR training
- An annual refresher course provided by public safety that will, at a minimum, cover any updates to these procedures, advances in the treatment of opioid overdoses, and other relevant information
Administering Naloxone
- Whenever possible, public safety staff will be the primary responders who administer the naloxone.
- Before administering the medication, the primary responder will:
- Call 9-1-1 and request immediate medical response;
- Check for and remove any items that may cause bodily injury, such as weapons or needles.
- Additional personnel, responding to the scene, will:
- Assist in directing emergency medical services (EMS) to the scene;
- Assist in providing rescue breathing, if needed;
- Assist in calming the individual receiving the naloxone.
- The primary responder who administers the naloxone should note the time and dose(s) given to the affected person for notification to EMS personnel and for reporting purposes.
- In cases where non-public safety personnel administer naloxone, a report should be made to public safety as soon as practical to include:
- Approximate time of dosage
- Circumstances of the incident, such as location, how the responder was notified, etc.
- If the dose(s) were effective
- Any other intervention provided
Prevention and Intervention
Prevention and intervention efforts are the responsibility of the associate vice president of student affairs or designee. Public safety will notify student affairs of all known naloxone administrations to ensure appropriate prevention and intervention efforts.
- Prevention will include efforts such as education about opioid overdose and treatment incorporated into existing drug and alcohol prevention programs and new student orientations (both college-wide and housing-specific).
- Intervention will include efforts such as college mental health of trained peer counseling or referral to a local community mental health provider.
- Outreach and support services should also be offered and made available to responders who are involved in overdose incidents.
Definitions
Naloxone hydrochloride nasal spray (Narcan brand)
Used for the treatment of an opioid emergency or a possible opioid overdose with signs of breathing problems and severe sleepiness or not being able to respond. Naloxone nasal spray is used to reverse the effects of opioids temporarily and does not affect people who are not taking opioid medicines or drugs.
Relevant Laws and Other Resources
Washington State Substitute Senate Bill 5380 Opioid Use Disorder [PDF]
Washington State Department of Health Standing Order to Dispense Naloxone [PDF]
University of Washington Naloxone Online Training Video
Bellevue College CARE Team website
Revision History
Original 3/31/2020; 4/18/2024
Approved By
President’s Cabinet
Last Updated May 3, 2024