Universal Postpartum Naloxone Provision: A Harm Reduction Quality Improvement Project

The aim of the study is to demonstrate the feasibility of combining implicit bias and harm reduction education for birthing unit providers and staff with the provision of a naloxone-containing home first aid kit for all postpartum people.

A quality improvement project was pilot tested at a small rural hospital in Maine. Birthing unit providers and staff were educated regarding implicit bias and harm reduction activities. All postpartum people were offered a take-home first aid kit containing first aid supplies, local recovery resources, naloxone administration instructions, and a 2-dose nasal naloxone pack. Data were collected over the course of 1 year from May 1, 2021, to April 30, 2022. Data included the number and percentage of staff completing the education modules, number of postpartum discharges, number and percentage of postpartum people who received harm reduction education, and number and percentage of postpartum people who accepted the take-home first aid kits with or without naloxone.

Fourteen of 17 (83%) providers and staff completed the education modules. One hundred ninety-seven postpartum people were discharged during the pilot project. One hundred ninety-two of 197 (97%) postpartum people received education from nursing staff on opioid overdose recognition and treatment. One hundred eighty-six of 197 (94%) postpartum people accepted the kits, and 150 of 197 (76%) also accepted the naloxone.

Educating birthing unit staff and providers on implicit bias and harm reduction activities support universal postpartum overdose education and acceptance of a naloxone-containing home first aid kit.