Has anyone got any patient group directives (PGDs) or guidelines on naloxone(the injectable blocker given in cases of suspected opiate overdose) that I can copy. we have naloxone in stock but cannot find any PGDs or guidelines on when to use it, except for hospital based services when it is usually about post op cases. It just makes it difficult for the nurses to give it when needed. To set up a PGD from scratch is daunting to say the least.
Can any help please?

Wouldn't be an idea to see if the PCT pharmacist lead has something? They also might know a friend who has

There is a persons e mail address in this link who might be helpful
http://www.nta.nhs.uk/publications/documents/nta_nurse_..._misuse_may_2005.pdf

As I understand it naloxone has a special licence which means it can be given by anybody, even a member of the public who suspects opiate OD. So i don't think you need a PGD to administer it. i will check with our pharmacist and get back to you with C&V (chapter and verse!)

Our PCT pharmasist lead wants a PGD to protect our nurses,and as I said before the only PGD she ahad was a hospital based one, which is not really suitable for our community service.
I'll be interested to see what your pharmasist says

PS that forum thread is extremely out of date - and will not enable you to contact the NTA nurse - our second postholder since she left started last week! his email address is:
kerry.webb@nta-nhs.org.uk

And here it is!
Marion Walker says: "Although naloxone can be given "for the purposes of saving life"; it is probably a good idea to have a PGD for training staff", and she has sent me two exapmles of PGDs - if anyone wants to see them I will check with her if OK to send out.

thanks susi.
that explains why no reply to my email!
could you email me the PDPs if that is at all possible please-my address is on my profile
thanks kathy

please email to me too susi. thanks.

We used a dose of naloxone at the surgery last month while waiting for the ambulance , after someone at the end of his tether downed all his saved up methadone, then fortunately changed his mind about continuing to struggle on with life a bit longer.

I am delighted to hear that our local user group are getting themselves trained up as naloxone-giving trainers, so hopefully we can spread some more around Birmingham.

quote:

Originally posted by susi:
And here it is!
Marion Walker says: "Although naloxone can be given "for the purposes of saving life"; it is probably a good idea to have a PGD for training staff", and she has sent me two exapmles of PGDs - if anyone wants to see them I will check with her if OK to send out.

susi,
Given by which route?

quote:

Originally posted by susi:
PS that forum thread is extremely out of date - and will not enable you to contact the NTA nurse - our second postholder since she left started last week! his email address is:
kerry.webb@nta-nhs.org.uk

No I didn't mean Barcroft I mean Joan Austen. Then I've no idea if she is still at that address either.

We have naloxone PGD developed in our service and approved by Newcastle PCT. It is used by our prescribing service (NHS) and also by the Harm Minimisation Service (Lifeline) AVon and Wiltshire Mental Health PArtnership NHS Trust produce a resource pack of PGDs which also has a naloxone one. If anyone is interested in looking at ours my email address is penny.schofield@nhs.net

Hi to all
to answer all your queries in no particular order:
This PGD is to specify naloxne given by the im route. This route also applies to giving naloxone for the purpose of saving a life.
I have never heard of Joan Austen - was she a predecessor of Shan Barcroft's?
I will check out permissions and forward PGDs as requested - please email me (address on nta site) if you haven't heard from me in a couple of weeks