VA Rolls Out 3-D Printed Narcan Trainer - Crucial Overdose Prevention for Veterans
The Department of Veterans Affairs has proudly unveiled a new, 3-D printed Naloxone trainer at some Midwest VA clinics as well as Orlando, FL. The creation of the 3-D printed Narcan trainer comes on the heels of rising overdose deaths among the public. It is one of several initiatives the VA has taken to reduce the number of overdose deaths among veterans nationwide.
Created by a dedicated VA nurse, Diane Mosey, the 3-D printer trainer is an exciting opportunity to teach the public how to save lives. It's also a stark reminder of the growing problem of opioid overdoses plaguing Veterans and the public at large, and the importance of Narcan training.
Simplicity in Design
The VA’s Office of Advanced Manufacturing (OAM), took on the task of helping nurse Mosey’s Naloxone spray trainer design come to life. Mosey originally created a prototype of the trainer using a piece of plywood and some rubber bands to hold her creation in place. While it might be practical for small, personal use, Mosey enlisted the help of the OAM to create a more permanent solution.
What she created with the help of OAM was the 3-D printed Naloxone trainer, which will be mass-produced by the OAM and launched in several different VA medical centers nationwide. The transformation is nothing short of creative and extraordinary.
Humble Beginnings
The original design featured a mannequin’s nose (similar to that of a CPR dummy) held to a piece of plywood with bands. A chain-linked small Narcan spray bottle accompanied the device, intended to help the user simulate the action of spraying the life-saving opioid overdose reversal medicine in each nostril.
The new OAM-created device still has a clear human-like nose and an attached Naloxone spray. The spray is similar to Narcan, which is the most widely available Naloxone spray used by the public and even some first responders. There are other alternatives to Narcan, including other forms like injectables, but Narcan’s nasal form is the most widely used.
3 Steps to Saving Lives
In addition to having a Narcan-like spray bottle attached to the Narcan trainer, it also has three simple steps to follow when dispensing Narcan. The steps on the trainer are as follows:
- Hold nasal spray with thumb on plunger. Place index and middle fingers on nozzle.
- Gently insert the nozzle into nostril.
- Fully depress plunger.
The trainer also says to not prime Narcan before use. Priming means to spray the medicine a few times first to make sure it's working. Fortunately, you don't need to prime Narcan for it to be effective. Although priming and giving more sprays than necessary (1-2) won't have any adverse effects, even if someone isn't experiencing an opioid-related overdose, it's best to not waste the medication.
The trainer's intuitive and easy-to-use design makes it easy for laypersons to use the trainer without formal medical training or knowledge. For those who are more visual learners, there are also videos online about the Naloxone trainer which can help people learn more about the trainer and see it used in action.
Where to Find the 3-D Narcan Trainer
The VA's 3-D Narcan trainer is currently found in medical centers located in VISN-12, which includes Indiana, Michigan, and Illinois. A recent partnership with the Simulation Learning, Evaluation, Assessment, and Research Network (SimLEARN) has also led to the trainer being available in Orlando, FL.
The trainers are strategically placed in waiting rooms, allowing patients or their loved ones to practice using them while they wait for their appointments. This gives veterans and the public an opportunity to familiarize themselves with how to administer Narcan in case of an emergency.
The VA's goal is to expand the distribution of the trainers to more medical centers across the country in order to reach a larger population and prevent overdose deaths. According to their press release, they also plan on partnering with VA healthcare providers and community organizations to spread the availability of the trainer.
Why is Narcan Training Necessary?
Addiction among veterans is often linked to the high rate of chronic pain and mental health disorders, such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), that they experience. In addition, many veterans have been prescribed opioid medications for their injuries sustained in combat or during their service. This makes them particularly vulnerable to developing an addiction.
Sadly, U.S. military veterans make up a large percentage of those addicted to substances, including opioids. They have also been largely impacted by the opioid crisis. New statistics show that overdose deaths among veterans rose between 2010 and 2019 by a shocking 53%. The increasing number of overdose deaths is a wake-up call for the VA to act quickly and implement preventative measures like Narcan training.
Train to Act
Muscle memory and training are important for life-saving techniques, and this goes beyond just CPR. The more people who have hands-on experience using Narcan, the more lives that can be saved in opioid overdose emergencies.
The VA's 3-D Narcan trainer brings us one step closer to achieving this goal by providing a simplified method of training individuals on how to use Narcan. It provides people not only the know-how, but the confidence to use Narcan if or when they encounter someone experiencing an opioid overdose.
Decreasing Stigma
While the public is used to seeing trainers for CPR, washing hands, or using an AED, seeing a Narcan trainer may be unfamiliar. However, putting trainers on the forefront raises awareness and helps decrease the stigma around opioid addiction.
The more we talk about it, the more people will realize that addiction and overdose deaths are an ever-growing reality. While there is no easy way to solve the opioid crisis, the VA's 3-D Narcan trainer is a step in the right direction and saves lives in the meantime.
Stay Prepared with Narcan on Hand
Being trained in using Naloxone spray and Narcan can help save lives. For veterans and their families alike, as well as the public, knowing where to access Narcan and how to properly use it is crucial. The VA's 3-D Narcan trainer makes this training more accessible and easy to learn, providing a sense of preparedness for any potential opioid overdose emergency. Narcan Finder can also help those looking for Naloxone near them. Use our search tool to find Narcan and Naloxone near you, so you can be prepared and help save a life.