Date of Conferral
2-17-2025
Degree
Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)
School
Nursing
Advisor
Dr. Kelly Fisher
Abstract
The Naloxone Staff Education Project was implemented within an outpatient behavioral health practice to address the critical issue of insufficient staff education regarding Naloxone use in opioid overdose responses. Opioid overdoses, particularly among young adults, have become a leading cause of preventable death, with nearly 108,000 deaths recorded in 2022, 76% of which involved opioids. The project aimed to assess the impact of Naloxone education on staff knowledge, competency, and confidence in responding to opioid overdoses among patients aged 18 to 35. Utilizing pre- and post-education assessments, including surveys and interviews, the project evaluated staff readiness to administer Naloxone. Results indicated a significant improvement in staff competency and confidence, with scores rising from 33% to 92% post-training. The comprehensive training program, which included educational materials and evaluation tools, greatly enhanced staff performance. Recommendations for future initiatives include regular hands-on training, ongoing refresher courses, continuous staff preparedness evaluation, and the expansion of similar programs to other healthcare settings. This project underscores the critical role of nursing education in opioid overdose response, contributing to improved patient survival rates and supporting public health efforts to combat the opioid crisis.
Recommended Citation
OGUNTADE, TAIWO, "The Effectiveness of Naloxone Staff Education in Reducing Opioid Overdose Mortality Among Young Adults in an Outpatient Behavioral Clinic" (2025). Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies. 17377.
https://scholarworks.waldenu.edu/dissertations/17377
