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One aspect of the new 2015 guidelines deals with opioids effects. Today, across the country there is an epidemic of heroin and prescription opioid use leading to overdose. We are in danger of it becoming a pandemic. Even infants are being born with a drug habit and have to be weaned off to survive birth. There is a disturbing trend afoot. Youngsters between the ages of 16 and 23 are the most likely victims of cardiac arrest as a direct result of drug overdose. Every state is becoming aware of the problem and some are passing laws to combat the spread of heroin and other opioids including prescription pain killers.
Overdosing on opioids complicates the resuscitation process. Many times it is the opioids effects (Respiratory Arrest) that cause people to go into Cardiac Arrest.
When called to a Cardiac Arrest of a young person, the emergency responder has to be aware of opioids effects being a factor. The most important thing is to begin compressions immediately while one of the other team members or law enforcement gets ready to administer Naloxone (Narcan) intra-nasally. One of the main things to look for is whether the pupils are dilated or constricted. If they are constricted and you are trained to administer Naloxone (Narcan) in any fashion, you should do so according to your local approved protocols.
Remember, when delivering Naloxone intra-nasally you insert the unit in one nostril and squeeze forcefully so the material atomizes in the nare and then move to the other one. If you squeeze too gently it will not go in properly. Ideally one person will deliver the Naloxone while the other rescuer continues performing high quality CPR. Narcan can be used on any unconscious victim. If they did not overdose on opioids, Narcan will not adversely affect them. Ideally the rescuer will be able to bring the unconscious person to the stage where they can breathe on their own. Once they start breathing you discontinue compressions and attend to helping them breathe. Leave the AED pads on and do not turn the AED off.
High quality effective CPR restores circulation and the Naloxone administered correctly helps restore breathing. If you are administering Naloxone under protocol directives previously approved by your Medical Director, you should try and bring the person to the point where they are breathing on their own, but are not completely awake. Once you have ROSC, the victim should be transported to the nearest appropriate hospital.
In two recent cases attended by my squad, Naloxone was used in conjunction with CPR and accelerated AED use. When I say accelerated I mean that if the AED is structured that way, the rescuer follows the prompt and continues compressions while the AED is charging and stops on command just before the shock is delivered. By doing it that way you improve the compression lapse ratio and maximize the effect of high quality CPR, and the victim’s survival. Operating the AED in this fashion takes good teamwork and practice to perform it effectively.
The only way to improve the outcome even better is to deliver high quality CPR as a team. There are several aspects to working as a team. One essential requirement is having someone to relieve the compressor every 2 minutes if possible (2 rescuers).
Another advantage would be to have someone deliver breaths and administer Naloxone (3 rescuers) and finally if possible someone to operate the AED and coordinate the accelerated shock maneuvers and Naloxone administration. (4 rescuers).
If it is not possible to have 4 rescuers then the first 2 rescuers will handle the compressions, breaths and AED operation. The other rescuer will administer Naloxone, time the doses and manage accelerated AED use if appropriate.
Under ideal conditions, the coordinator provides constructive feedback to each rescuer according to their assigned task.
The coordinator makes sure the compressions are deep enough and fast enough with proper chest recoil. They make sure the breaths are making the chest rise and are not being administered too fast or slowly. They also coordinate the continuation of compressions while the AED is charging and stop them before the shock is delivered, and assures that compressions are started immediately after the AED delivers the shock or pauses. The coordinator times the compressions and the space of time between delivering Naloxone. All of these actions require effective management and life-saving maneuvers.
When all of these steps are followed as closely as possible the rescuers insure the best possible chance of a positive outcome for the victim.
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John has been an AHA Instructor Trainer since 1993, and is involved at all levels of CPR science development and the introduction of various CPR enhancement techniques and equipment. Since retiring from the Port Authority in 2000, he has been actively spreading the news of increased effectiveness of improved CPR teaching and training by attending National and Local EMS conferences and presenting at the annual ECCU conference. In addition, he spends a good deal of time teaching AHA CPR and First Aid to doctors, nurses, PCT''s, EMTs, and security personnel in hospitals, doctors and dentists offices, Professional Trainers, gyms, shopping malls and pharmacies in New York and New Jersey. He also volunteers as EMT- BLS IT with the Woodbridge Township Ambulance & Rescue Squad as Chief of Operations and Training Director.
More articles by the writer
One aspect of the new 2015 guidelines deals with opioids effects. Today, across the country there is an epidemic of heroin and prescription opioid use leading to overdose. We are in danger of it becoming a pandemic. Even infants are being born with a drug habit and have to be weaned off to survive birth. There is a disturbing trend afoot. Youngsters between the ages of 16 and 23 are the most likely victims of cardiac arrest as a direct result of drug overdose. Every state is becoming aware of the problem and some are passing laws to combat the spread of heroin and other opioids including prescription pain killers.
Overdosing on opioids complicates the resuscitation process. Many times it is the opioids effects (Respiratory Arrest) that cause people to go into Cardiac Arrest.
When called to a Cardiac Arrest of a young person, the emergency responder has to be aware of opioids effects being a factor. The most important thing is to begin compressions immediately while one of the other team members or law enforcement gets ready to administer Naloxone (Narcan) intra-nasally. One of the main things to look for is whether the pupils are dilated or constricted. If they are constricted and you are trained to administer Naloxone (Narcan) in any fashion, you should do so according to your local approved protocols.
Remember, when delivering Naloxone intra-nasally you insert the unit in one nostril and squeeze forcefully so the material atomizes in the nare and then move to the other one. If you squeeze too gently it will not go in properly. Ideally one person will deliver the Naloxone while the other rescuer continues performing high quality CPR. Narcan can be used on any unconscious victim. If they did not overdose on opioids, Narcan will not adversely affect them. Ideally the rescuer will be able to bring the unconscious person to the stage where they can breathe on their own. Once they start breathing you discontinue compressions and attend to helping them breathe. Leave the AED pads on and do not turn the AED off.
High quality effective CPR restores circulation and the Naloxone administered correctly helps restore breathing. If you are administering Naloxone under protocol directives previously approved by your Medical Director, you should try and bring the person to the point where they are breathing on their own, but are not completely awake. Once you have ROSC, the victim should be transported to the nearest appropriate hospital.
In two recent cases attended by my squad, Naloxone was used in conjunction with CPR and accelerated AED use. When I say accelerated I mean that if the AED is structured that way, the rescuer follows the prompt and continues compressions while the AED is charging and stops on command just before the shock is delivered. By doing it that way you improve the compression lapse ratio and maximize the effect of high quality CPR, and the victim’s survival. Operating the AED in this fashion takes good teamwork and practice to perform it effectively.
The only way to improve the outcome even better is to deliver high quality CPR as a team. There are several aspects to working as a team. One essential requirement is having someone to relieve the compressor every 2 minutes if possible (2 rescuers).
Another advantage would be to have someone deliver breaths and administer Naloxone (3 rescuers) and finally if possible someone to operate the AED and coordinate the accelerated shock maneuvers and Naloxone administration. (4 rescuers).
If it is not possible to have 4 rescuers then the first 2 rescuers will handle the compressions, breaths and AED operation. The other rescuer will administer Naloxone, time the doses and manage accelerated AED use if appropriate.
Under ideal conditions, the coordinator provides constructive feedback to each rescuer according to their assigned task.
The coordinator makes sure the compressions are deep enough and fast enough with proper chest recoil. They make sure the breaths are making the chest rise and are not being administered too fast or slowly. They also coordinate the continuation of compressions while the AED is charging and stop them before the shock is delivered, and assures that compressions are started immediately after the AED delivers the shock or pauses. The coordinator times the compressions and the space of time between delivering Naloxone. All of these actions require effective management and life-saving maneuvers.
When all of these steps are followed as closely as possible the rescuers insure the best possible chance of a positive outcome for the victim.
Vlad Magdalin
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