Prehospital Medication Administration: A Randomised Study Comparing Intranasal and Intravenous Routes

Introduction. Opioid overdose is an ever-increasing problem globally. Recent studies have demonstrated that intranasal (IN) naloxone is a safe and effective alternative to traditional routes of naloxone administration for reversal of opioid overdose. Aims. This randomised controlled trial aimed to c...

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Main Authors: Cian McDermott, Niamh C. Collins
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Wiley 2012-01-01
Series:Emergency Medicine International
Online Access:http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2012/476161
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author Cian McDermott
Niamh C. Collins
author_facet Cian McDermott
Niamh C. Collins
author_sort Cian McDermott
collection DOAJ
description Introduction. Opioid overdose is an ever-increasing problem globally. Recent studies have demonstrated that intranasal (IN) naloxone is a safe and effective alternative to traditional routes of naloxone administration for reversal of opioid overdose. Aims. This randomised controlled trial aimed to compare the time taken to deliver intranasal medication with that of intravenous (IV) medication by advanced paramedic trainees. Methods. 18 advanced paramedic trainees administered either an IN or IV medication to a mannequin model in a classroom-based setting. The time taken for medication delivery was compared. End-user satisfaction was assessed using a 5-point questionnaire regarding ease of use and safety for both routes. Results. The mean time taken for the IN and IV group was 87.1 seconds and 178.2 seconds respectively. The difference in mean time taken was 91.1 seconds (95% confidence interval 55.2 seconds to 126.9 seconds, P≤0.0001). 89% of advanced paramedic trainees reported that the IN route was easier and safer to use than the IV route. Conclusion. This study demonstrates that, amongst advanced paramedic trainees, the IN route of medication administration is significantly faster, better accepted and perceived to be safer than using the IV route. Thus, IN medication administration could be considered more frequently when administering emergency medications in a pre-hospital setting.
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spelling doaj-art-358e25bf2a154f08a63e4c0fb3157a1b2025-08-20T02:24:07ZengWileyEmergency Medicine International2090-28402090-28592012-01-01201210.1155/2012/476161476161Prehospital Medication Administration: A Randomised Study Comparing Intranasal and Intravenous RoutesCian McDermott0Niamh C. Collins1Centre for Emergency Medical Science, University College Dublin, Dublin, IrelandMedical Advisory Group of the Pre-hospital Emergency Care Council in Ireland, Naas, IrelandIntroduction. Opioid overdose is an ever-increasing problem globally. Recent studies have demonstrated that intranasal (IN) naloxone is a safe and effective alternative to traditional routes of naloxone administration for reversal of opioid overdose. Aims. This randomised controlled trial aimed to compare the time taken to deliver intranasal medication with that of intravenous (IV) medication by advanced paramedic trainees. Methods. 18 advanced paramedic trainees administered either an IN or IV medication to a mannequin model in a classroom-based setting. The time taken for medication delivery was compared. End-user satisfaction was assessed using a 5-point questionnaire regarding ease of use and safety for both routes. Results. The mean time taken for the IN and IV group was 87.1 seconds and 178.2 seconds respectively. The difference in mean time taken was 91.1 seconds (95% confidence interval 55.2 seconds to 126.9 seconds, P≤0.0001). 89% of advanced paramedic trainees reported that the IN route was easier and safer to use than the IV route. Conclusion. This study demonstrates that, amongst advanced paramedic trainees, the IN route of medication administration is significantly faster, better accepted and perceived to be safer than using the IV route. Thus, IN medication administration could be considered more frequently when administering emergency medications in a pre-hospital setting.http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2012/476161
spellingShingle Cian McDermott
Niamh C. Collins
Prehospital Medication Administration: A Randomised Study Comparing Intranasal and Intravenous Routes
Emergency Medicine International
title Prehospital Medication Administration: A Randomised Study Comparing Intranasal and Intravenous Routes
title_full Prehospital Medication Administration: A Randomised Study Comparing Intranasal and Intravenous Routes
title_fullStr Prehospital Medication Administration: A Randomised Study Comparing Intranasal and Intravenous Routes
title_full_unstemmed Prehospital Medication Administration: A Randomised Study Comparing Intranasal and Intravenous Routes
title_short Prehospital Medication Administration: A Randomised Study Comparing Intranasal and Intravenous Routes
title_sort prehospital medication administration a randomised study comparing intranasal and intravenous routes
url http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2012/476161
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