Evaluation of Basic Life Support First Responder Naloxone Administration Protocol Adherence

Opioid overdoses have become a significant problem across the United States resulting in respiratory depression and risk of death. Basic Life Support (BLS) first responders have had the option to treat respiratory depression using a bag-valve-mask device, however naloxone, an opioid antagonist, has been shown to quickly restore normal respiration. Since the introduction of naloxone and recent mandates across many states for BLS personnel to carry and administer naloxone, investigation into the adherence of naloxone use standing protocols is warranted.

This preliminary study examined 100 initial cases of BLS first responder administration of naloxone for appropriate indications and protocol adherence.

This study found that n=22/100 naloxone administrations were inappropriate, often given to patients who were not suffering from respiratory depression (n=11/22). Positive pressure ventilation (PPV) was not administered prior to naloxone in n=56/100 cases, of which n=42/100 had an inadequate respiratory effort documented. For patients with a known history of substance use disorder, there was a significant increase in administration of naloxone prior to PPV (60%; n=33/55) compared to patients without a known history (30%; n=9/30).

Overall these preliminary data suggest that during BLS naloxone administration, the majority of cases did not follow at least one component of the standard protocol for patients with respiratory depression. This study suggests that further education and more research are needed to better understand the decision-making processes of prehospital providers to ensure adherence to standard protocols.