All healthcare professionals, allied and unregulated health professionals who distribute Naloxone to patients or clients, should have manager approval and must adhere to specific competencies, standards and guidelines as outlined by their professional accreditation organization.

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Healthcare Professional Practice

Four levels control health care professional practice. Click the (+) to see the 4 levels .

Health Professions Act – outlines what health professionals can legally do
Standards, limits and Conditions – set by health professional colleges to support and complement the limits for each professional outlined in the Health Professions Act
Policies set by Employer – may further restrict health professional’s practice based on unit and/or program practice
Individual’s Competence – the ability to perform a particular duty/skill
CPD link for MD/NP/RN/RPN

How do I do the right thing at VCH?

Although your college provides guidelines around scope of practice, ultimately you must adhere to VCH policies and guidelines. VCH must adhere to Accreditation Canada’s Medication Management Standards which address aspects of the medication and focus on safe and effective medication management.

How do I do the right thing?

To ensure the safe and effective management of Naloxone, always adhere to the VCH 2016 Accreditation Practices and the standards for dispensing, documenting and storing Naloxone outlined in this course.

Scenario 1

Susy works in a residential care facility as an LPN and does not think that overdose prevention and response is part of her role given that she works primarily with seniors. She has a discussion with her nursing manager, a risk-assessment is done for all residents, and it is found that two of them meet the criteria to be at risk of an opioid overdose. What questions are asked to find out which residents/clients are at risk, and what are the next steps?

Let's see

See this document: Preventing Overdose Opiod Overdose Deaths

Hmm... Actually, this is an example of when you might see an amount in your budget for Physician Compensation.

Select a response.

Insert real-life scenario/situation example.
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For guidance around practice guidelines from your individual college, please see appropriate link below:

MDs, NPs, RNs, RPN – can distribute Naloxone without an order
MDs, NPs, RNs, RPNs – can administer Naloxone without an order as per the Naloxone Administration CPD
LPNs, OTs, PTs, RTs, SWs & Unregulated Care Providers (such as harm reduction workers and peer workers), can administer Naloxone without an order as per Responding to Suspected Opioid Overdoses in Community Settings CPD
LPNs, SWs, OTs, allied health, and unregulated care providers who have college and/or manager approval, can distribute Naloxone