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Problem Statement: Opioid overdoses are a growing concern in many communities, and the lack of trained personnel in school settings to respond to such emergencies is a significant gap in addressing this issue. Naloxone, a life-saving medication for opioid overdoses, along with first aid training, is essential for improving the response to these incidents in schools.
Purpose: This project aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of naloxone and first aid training in HIDOE school settings, focusing on enhancing knowledge, confidence, and readiness to respond to opioid overdose and other medical emergencies.
Methods: A pre- survey was administered to 21 participants, including registered nurses and advanced practice registered nurses, who had completed the naloxone and first aid training. The survey assessed participants' comfort, knowledge, and confidence levels related to naloxone administration and first aid. A post-training survey, completed by 42 participants, was also conducted to assess the changes made in these areas. Quantitative and qualitative data were collected, analyzed using Microsoft Excel for descriptive statistics, and thematically analyzed for open-ended responses.
Results: The pre-survey results indicated high levels of comfort and confidence in administering naloxone and first aid, with participants reporting improved knowledge and readiness to intervene in overdose situations. The post-survey results demonstrated further improvement, with 59.5% of participants feeling “extremely confident” in their ability to respond to an opioid overdose and 52.4% feeling “extremely prepared” to train others.
Discussion: The findings align with the literature on the importance of hands-on, scenario-based training for improving healthcare professionals' response readiness. The project underscores the need for continuous updates to training materials, addressing logistical challenges, and offering hybrid learning options to enhance training accessibility and effectiveness. The data from both pre- and post-training surveys confirm that the naloxone and first aid training program significantly enhanced participants' preparedness to respond to opioid-related emergencies and train others in similar settings.
