Development and implementation of procedures for outpatient naloxone prescribing at a large academic medical center

An interprofessional initiative to operationalize outpatient naloxone prescribing at a large academic medical center is described.

The initiative was carried out by a work group of clinical pharmacists and pharmacy administrators in collaboration with physicians and nursing staff leaders from multiple practice settings. An opioid overdose risk-assessment guide was developed on the basis of literature review and expert opinion. An institutional policy to guide identification of high-risk patient populations and facilitate naloxone prescribing and dispensing was developed and vetted by multiple expert committees. Patient education materials were created, and patients at high risk for opioid overdose were educated about overdose risk factors and naloxone use by a pharmacist and/or nurse before discharge or, in some cases, by outpatient pharmacists; when feasible, patients' friends, family members, and/or caregivers were included in education sessions. Interventions included distribution of a pamphlet emphasizing the importance of contacting emergency medical services personnel immediately in the event of an overdose, depicting the process for administration of injectable and nasal spray formulations of naloxone, and providing information on other first-response steps. Collaboration with outpatient pharmacies allowed for successful dispensing of naloxone prescriptions.

The implementation of an outpatient naloxone prescribing policy at a large academic medical center created a streamlined approach for the interprofessional healthcare team to use in providing naloxone education and improved naloxone access to patients at high risk for opioid overdose.