Did you know that SHHS now has emergency Naloxone and AED kits installed at our 8 residence front desk locations? These kits are important additions to residence – to help ensure the safety of our residents and guests.
What is naloxone?
Naloxone is a medication used for the emergency treatment of a known or suspected opioid overdose. It can be delivered as a nasal spray or through injection. The emergency naloxone kits in residence contain a nasal spray.
What is an AED?
AEDs (Automated External Defibrillators) are critical lifesaving devices that provide a quick response in the event of a cardiac arrest.
Where are they located?
AED and Naloxone kits are located adjacent to residence front desks in wall-mounted cabinets. Naloxone cabinets are alarmed and will sound if opened.
Why?
Resident and guest safety is critically important to SHHS. AEDs were rolled out across campus last year, as part of a campus-wide initiative by Risk Management Services. It was an easy decision to make sure these were placed in our student residences and provide emergency access to a resident or guest to use in case of cardiac arrest.
In the case of naloxone, opioid-overdose related deaths remain a persistent problem in British Columbia. Fatal overdoses can be prevented with better access to naloxone. We want to ensure that an emergency dose of naloxone is available on site for a resident or guest to use if an overdose or suspected overdose occurs.
Emergency responders – Campus Security, RCMP, Fire Fighters, and Paramedics – may also carry naloxone kits. Having emergency naloxone nearby could help get a lifesaving dose to a resident or guest even more quickly.
Expectations for SHHS staff
SHHS staff are not expected to administer naloxone or use AEDs in emergency situations as part of their job. These kits have been made available in residence common areas to enable any community member to assist a resident or guest who is experiencing symptoms of an opioid overdose.
However, we have asked staff who work in these areas to familiarize themselves with the location of Naloxone and AED kits so they are able to direct a resident, guest, or first responder, if needed.
Training
For interested staff, over the summer we held three AED and Naloxone training sessions with Gontran Paget, Health & Safety Advisor for SHHS. These well-attended workshops allowed SHHS staff to get basic training in the use of AEDs and the administration of nasal naloxone.
Training Resources
If you were unable to attend a training session, here are some training resources that you may find helpful.
Administering Nasal Naloxone
Using an AED
