Local EMS group has first nasal Narcan ‘save’

Bellmore-Merrick Emergency Medical Services, - one of only five independent, volunteer ambulance corps in Nassau County, - had what the members of the organization described as their first nasal Narcan “save” recently.

On March 25, a five-member crew from Bellmore-Merrick EMS responded to an emergency call for an unresponsive patient in respiratory distress in North Bellmore. The crew assisted the patient with positive pressure ventilation and oxygen, but upon further evaluation, they determined that patient required the drug Narcan.

Narcan, which is also known as nalaxone, is an opioid antidote that counteracts the potentially fatal effects of depressants such as heroin, morphine, methadone, hydrocodone, oxycodone, OxyContin, codeine, Demerol, Dilaudid and fentanyl. New York State Department of Health EMS regulations allow emergency medical technicians to administer Narcan once they receive additional in-service training on identifying opiate-related overdoes and how to properly administer medication. This regulation went into effect in December 2013.

Following protocol, the crew administered Narcan through a device known as nasal atomizer. While on their way to Nassau University Medical Center in East Meadow, the crew administered a second dose of Narcan and the patient’s breathing improved and the patient began to regain consciousness. Upon arrival at the hospital, the patient was fully alert and was transferred to hospital staff for evaluation and treatment.

Members of the organization said they were proud of the life-saving crew, which consisted of the following locals: Lt. Nicole Morelli, EMT, of Wantagh; Ashley Russo, EMT, of Merrick; Brittany Russo, EMT, of Merrick; Alex Svetlovics, of Merrick; and Canada Schneider, of Baldwin.

“Our crew did an outstanding job and demonstrated how effective well-trained and equipped emergency personnel in the field can be,” said Dr. Victor Politi, who is Bellmore-Merrick EMS’s medical director. “We are thankful for Nassau County Executive Mangano’s leadership in putting Narcan in every EMS, fire and police unit in the county and making training in Narcan use widely available, which has already saved hundreds of people from tragic overdoses.”

Bellmore-Merrick EMS is part of the county’s 911 dispatch system and offers both basic and advanced life support standards of care. According to the organization, their crews respond to about 800 emergency calls per year. Founded in 1971, the organization is headquartered at 2434 Grand Ave. in Bellmore; it serves the communities of Bellmore, North Bellmore, Merrick, North Merrick and parts of East Meadow.