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Memorial Medical Center has made a nasal spray available to the public to help combat opioid overdose.
Memorial Medical Center has made naloxone, a nasal spray that can buy time for someone who is overdosing on opioids, available in a vending machine in its emergency room lobby and the product is free to anyone who wants to access it.
The hospital is able to make the nasal spray available through a partnership with the New Mexico Health Care Authority.
Alfred L’Altrelli, pharmacy director for Memorial Medical Center, told the Bulletin that this helps to decrease barriers. If someone enters into an overdose situation, the nasal spray can be applied to the person’s nostrils.
L’Altrelli said the naloxone acts as an opioid antagonist and it knocks the opioid off the brain receptors. If a person's breathing has slowed or stopped, the application of naloxone will enable the person to start breathing again.
But, the effect doesn’t last. L’Altrelli said it usually works for about 30 to 90 minutes, creating a window during which the person can be rushed to the emergency room.
“It gives a chance to respond,” L’Altrelli said.
L’Altrelli said naloxone can be purchased over-the-counter and it costs money. L’Altrelli said providing a vending machine in the lobby with free access to the nasal spray will “help save lives.”
“We want to get it into the community so good Samaritans can have it and respond,” he said.
L’Altrelli said the hospital has seen a growth in opioid-related issues in the past several years. Preventable opioid overdose deaths have increased by 457% since 1999 across the U.S.
In addition, the Doña Ana County Government Center is offering free training on how to prevent an opioid overdose death. For more information, call 575-525-5877 or email narcan@donaana.gov to schedule training.
L’Altrelli said having the nasal spray more widely available and in the community can help improve outcomes.
L’Altrelli said the vending machine has a flat screen and it is state-of-the-art. He said it plays videos to educate people.
“It meets patients where they are,” he said.
