BOSTON — Massachusetts state regulators has urged nursing homes to stock narcan and to train staff members on how to care for residents with addiction.
Letters were sent to nursing homes in recent weeks and noted the use of opioids for pain relief in nursing homes.
The Ellis Nursing Home and Rehabilitation Center in Norwood has had narcan on hand for five years, and fortunately, they've never had to use it.
“I think it's a great idea. It protects us it,” said Ken Kelley, an administrator at The Ellis.
There’s a higher risk of overdosing because patients with memory problems or dementia may take more than they need. Family members may also be unintended enablers, even if they have the best of intentions.
“Sometimes family feel that if their pain is not in control, they might slip them a medication that they're taking at home, even if the nurses have already given it to them - they come in, they see their loved one in pain, they might have the prescription in their pocket and give them more,” said Susan Coombs, director of nursing services at The Ellis.
The state says, going forward, if they discover a facility does not have narcan, it will now be required to submit a corrective plan of action within 10 days.
The medical director for the Substance Use Disorder Initiative at Mass General told FOX25 she thinks the new recommendations will help erode social stigma. She said she’s seen patients turned away from nursing homes because of substance abuse disorders.
Cox Media Group
