GLENDALE (April 1, 2024) – Banner Thunderbird Medical Center recently implemented a Naloxone distribution program to help treat patients who overdose on opioids. This comes in response to the hospital seeing more than 80 of these cases in its emergency room since January of this year. Naloxone, also known as “Narcan,” is used to rapidly reverse opioid overdoses.
Who can receive Naloxone kits?
- Any patient or visitor at risk of an opioid-related overdose (prescribed or illicit opioids).
- A patient or visitor who is a family member, friend, or other person in a position to assist a person at risk of an opioid-related overdose.
- A patient or visitor who uses stimulants, or a patient or visitor who is a family member, friend, or other person in a position to assist a person who uses stimulants.
Naloxone can be administered through intravenous or intramuscular injections. It can also be administered with a nasal spray, which Banner Thunderbird will offer through its the distribution program.
"The safety and well-being of our community is our top priority at Banner Thunderbird. By providing these kits, we are taking proactive steps to address the opioid crisis and save lives." said Kendal Dold, Outreach Program Manager at Banner Thunderbird.
Banner Thunderbird is one of the few hospitals in the valley to provide Naloxone to patients and/or caregivers.
Also, the Banner Poison and Drug Information Center continues to provide support through the Opioid Assistance and Referral (OAR) Line 1-888-688-4222, a 24/7 helpline for assistance with opioid-related questions and resources. In addition, the Arizona Department of Health Services (ADHS) recently launched a naloxone campaign to combat Arizona's opioid overdose crisis, recognizing the importance of this life-saving medication.
“We are working with the state and county health departments to educate Arizonans of the dangers of fentanyl, recognize the importance of Naloxone and Medications for Opioid Use Disorder (MOUD) in reducing injury and death, and reducing stigma for those of are affected by this ongoing opioid epidemic,” said Maureen Roland, RN, managing director of the Banner Poison and Drug Information Center.
About Banner Thunderbird
Banner Thunderbird Medical Center in Glendale, Arizona, specializes in heart care, surgical services, obstetrics and gynecology, emergency and trauma care, behavioral health, cancer care, rehabilitation, and pediatrics, including the West Valley’s only pediatric intensive care unit, pediatric Emergency department and Level III neonatal intensive care unit. Banner Thunderbird also operates a Level I Trauma Center for patients ages 15 and older. The hospital is part of Banner Health, a nonprofit health system with 30 hospitals in six states. For more information, please visit bannerhealth.com/thunderbird.
About the Banner Poison Center
The Banner Poison and Drug Information Center is a phone call away and can be reached at 1-800-222-1222. The center provides a free, 24-hour emergency telephone service for both residents and medical professionals of Maricopa County. Assistance is available in more than 150 languages. For more information, visit bannerhealth.com/poisoncenter.
For further information contact us at: [email protected]