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MONDAY, Sept. 24, 2018 (HealthDay News) – New research suggests that employees of coffee shops and fast food establishments can be trained to respond to opioid overdoses at their workplace.
"Because overdoses of opioids can occur in public toilets, business leaders and staff unintentionally become first responders." Said Brett Wolfson-Stofko, author of the study. a researcher affiliated with the Center for Drug Use and HIV / HCV Research at New York University.
Naloxone is a drug that quickly reverses opioid overdoses.
"We need companies and organizations that provide naloxone training to be proactive," Wolfson-Stofko said in a university press release. "I encourage companies interested in an overdose response and training to administer naloxone to contact their local health department or local risk reduction agency."
The study, funded by the US National Institutes of Health, examined the possibility of teaching employees of local businesses how to respond to overdose in their bathroom.
Previous research conducted by this team showed that 58% of New York City business leaders had found drug users in their public washrooms in the last six months and 14% had lost consciousness, probably because of drug use.
But studies have also shown that employees do not know how to respond to overdoses in the bathrooms of their companies.
When someone stops breathing, brain damage can occur within three minutes. First responders usually take seven minutes to arrive at an incident in New York.
Complicating matters, employees often have no idea how long a person who overdosts is not responding. The increasing use of fentanyl, a fast-acting opioid, has also made the reactions to overdoses even more critical.
The researchers created a three-part intervention for 18 employees of New York City's cafes, including a strategy to respond to an overdose and give to a person who does not respond.
Also known as Narcan, naloxone is usually given in doses of At a presentation and interactive exercises, staff members learned to administer naloxone.
They were also informed about current opioids, overdose signs, and how to communicate with first responders. Employees have also learned of the existence of access laws to New York's naloxone and the Good Samaritan, which allow people without medical training to obtain naloxone and give it to people in their homes. need without fear of responsibility.
The researchers evaluated the success of the training program by assessing changes in employee awareness and views about opioid overdoses.
The study found that participants had acquired knowledge about opioid overdoses and had more confidence in their ability to help in case of overdose.
Many employees felt that training on opioid overdose should be part of the company's policy, just like the food safety guidelines.
The results were published on September 21 in the journal Addiction to alcohol and drugs.
More information
The US National Institute on Drug Abuse provides more information on the opioid overdose crisis.
SOURCE: New York University, press release, September 21, 2018
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