Clinical nurse specialist CNS
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This article describes the implementation of a clinical nurse specialist-led emergency department overdose education and naloxone distribution program. The program's purpose is to increase naloxone availability to reduce opiate overdose mortality rates within the local community. ⋯ Although emergency department naloxone distribution programs are feasible in the acute care setting, it was critical for clinical nurse specialists to enlist an interdisciplinary team and engage executive leadership to ensure program success. For others considering such a program, early consideration should be given to determining financial support and evaluating the compliance and regulatory aspects of dispensing medications from emergency settings.