EpinephrineAdministration by the EMT Training Module 2013

WVOEMS Approved EducationMPCC addition of skill set and treatment options for EMT Protocol changes 02-01-2013

Learning Objectives

With successful completion of this training module, the EMT will be able to describe and/or correctly demonstrate …

• Epinephrine identification as a medication

• Identify steps in aseptic technique

• Preparation Epinephrine for administration

• Administer Epinephrine via the IM route

• Evaluate the mechanism of action and effects of Epinephrine

EMT Utilization of Epinephrine

• 6501-Allergic Reaction (Anaphylaxis)

• 6302-Respiratory Distress (Bronchospasm)

• In both protocols Epi can be given by an EMT with Medical Command contact

• Auto-injectors may be utilized in both protocols as well as IM Injection

Key TermsAnaphylaxis - a life-threatening, hypersensitivity reaction of the

immune systemAseptic technique - a procedure performed under sterile

conditionsAsphyxia - suffocation as a result of blockage of the airwayDyspnea - labored or difficult breathingEpinephrine - a hormone released from the adrenal glands that

activates several tissues in the “fight-or-flight” responseHistamine - one of several chemical messages released from

immune cells that promote inflammation as a defense mechanism

Intramuscular - a medication route by injection into the belly of a muscle which encourages rapid transport by the bloodstream

Shock - a severe reduction in blood pressure (by any cause) that results in inadequate blood flow (oxygen & glucose) to tissues

What is Epinephrine…• A synthetic reproduction of the naturally

occurring hormone Epinephrine• Released during “fight or flight” responses

– reflex stimulation of the adrenal gland– sympathetic division of the autonomic nervous

system

What is Epinephrine• A catacholamine, sympathomimetic

• Acts on cardiovascular system– Increases the strength of heart muscle

contraction– Increases heart rate– Increases systolic blood pressure

• Acts on respiratory system– Bronchodilation

Actions of Epinephrine

• Relaxes smooth muscle in the airways• Counteracts histamine and other cytokines• Raises blood sugar level• Raises heart rate, blood pressure, and

myocardial oxygen demand

For Intramuscular injection of Epinephrine…Onset of effect: 3-5 minDuration of effect: 1-4 hours

Epinephrine Precautions

• DO NOT give epinephrine to these patients:– ONLY hives, flushing or itching– Ongoing chest pain

• Use caution (contact Medical Command) when giving epinephrine to patients with a history of heart attack, angina, or stroke

Epinephrine Considerations

• Give epinephrine with a clear history of insect bite or sting, or history of other allergy

• MUST have at least one of the below signs and symptoms of severe allergic reaction– Respiratory Tract

• Wheezing, Stridor, Shortness of Breath– Skin

• Facial swelling involving lips, tongue, mouth (airway involvement)

– Cardiovascular• Dizziness, HR>120, BP <90, AMS

Epinephrine Onset

• IM/SC, 5-15 minutes

• Danger: – IV onset immediate, however at the 1:1000

concentration can cause arrhythmia and death– This is the reason for drawing back on syringe

prior to injection to ensure you are not in a vessel

Side Effects of Epinephrine

• Palpitations• Tachycardia & arrhythmias• Hypertension• Headache• Tremor, weakness• Pallor, sweating• Nausea & vomiting• Nervousness & anxiety• Pain, redness at the injection site

Medication Packaging

• Name of medication• Concentration (1:1,000 or 1mg/1ml)• Expiration date

Indications for Use

EMTs may administer Epinephrine for:

• Allergic Reaction/Anaphylaxis

• Respiratory Distress/Bronchospasm

Dosage• Epi Pen Auto Injector

• IM Injection Drawn Up

Dosage:Adults - 0.30 mg of 1:1,000Pediatrics - 0.15 mg of 1:2,000

Dosage:Adults - 0.30 mg of 1:1,000Pediatrics - 0.30 mg of 1:1,000

• Is 0.3 mg of Epi ever too much?• Can you really overdose a child?

Special ConsiderationsSPECIAL CONSIDERATIONSAssessment1. Known or suspected exposure to allergen. Sting? If unclear contact base.2. History of allergic reactions3. Medication use prior to arrival. AnaGuard/Epi-pen, Benadryl? 4. PMH: heart disease, stroke, hypertension?5. Medications: Beta-blockers (atenolol, propranolol)? May block effects of epinephrine 6. Vital signs including mental status7. Respiratory status: Airway swelling? Wheezes? Stridor? Medication IssuesUse epinephrine with caution in the following patients (contact base when possible but do not withhold if

patient in severe distress and base contact cannot be made easily):Over 70 years of ageHistory of heart disease, stroke or hypertension. Taking a beta-blocker (example: atenolol, propranolol)

Transport Priorities: Any patient with signs or symptoms of a severe reaction requires immediate evacuation. Consider helicopter and/or rendezvous with higher level of care unless symptoms responding well to therapy.

 

Anaphylaxis is an over-reaction of the Immune System

• Sudden, severe allergic reaction involving the whole body (systemic)

• multisystem involvement, including the skin, airway, vascular system, and GI

• Most common allergens: insect sting, food, medication, latex

• Widespread immune system response causes itching, hives & swelling

• May also cause circulatory shock; tracheal and bronchial swelling resulting in asphyxia

Allergic Reactions

• Range from mild to life threatening• Early symptoms may be vague• Classic skin signs are urticaria, (hives)

– Red, itchy raised welts anywhere on the body• Swelling of face, lips, eyes• Symptoms can occur seconds after exposure

or up to 30 minutes

Mild Reactions• Itching

• Hives

• Redness

• Treatment is close observation and watching for progression of symptoms

Severe Reactions

• Respiratory Tract

• Skin

• Cardiovascular

Respiratory Tract Signs and Symptoms

• Wheezing• Upper airway noisy breathing (stridor)• Chest and throat tightness• Shortness of Breath• Nasal congestion*

– *alone does not indicate a severe reaction

Skin – Signs and Symptoms

• Facial Swelling – Involving lips, tongue, mouth (airway

involvement)• Redness*• Hives*• Itching*

– *alone does not indicate a severe reaction

Cardiovascular Signs and Symptoms• Decreased Blood Pressure (<90)

• Increased Heart Rate (>120)

• Severe Dizziness

• Fainting

• Decreased Mental Status – confusion, lethargy, coma

EMT Treatment• Ensure an open airway

• Administer oxygen

• History and Physical

• Vital signs

• Epinephrine

Intramuscular Drug Administration

Intramuscular Drug Administration

THE SIX “RIGHTS”

1. Right person2. Right drug3. Right dose4. Right time5. Right route6. Right documentation

Intramuscular Drug AdministrationIntramuscular sites allow a drug to be injected into the

belly of a muscle so that the blood vessels supplying that muscle distribute the medication to its site of action via the bloodstream.

First steps:1. Prep the site with approved antiseptic by scrubbing

vigorously and allowing to dry. DO NOT TOUCH, BLOW ON OR FAN THE INJECTION SITE!

2. Align the syringe and needle above the injection site at a 90 degree angle, with the bevel of the needle facing up.

NOTE: IM Injections CANNOT be administered through clothing as the auto-injectors could.

Intramuscular Drug Administration

90º

Administration Sites

Deltoid

Dorsogluteal

Ventrogluteal

Vastus lateralis

Needle Handling• Minimize the tasks performed in a moving

ambulance.

• Immediately dispose of used sharps in a sharps container.

• NEVER recap needles.

Ampules and Vials

Ampules Vials

Store epinephrine AWAY from light; leave it in its carton until ready to use. Also keep away from extreme heat and danger of freezing.

Document all information concerning the patient and medication, including:

1. Indication for drug administration• include appearance, work of breathing, vitals, lung

sounds, skin signs, and ability to speak

2. Drug, dosage, and delivery site

3. Patient response to the medication• include appearance, work of breathing, vitals, lung

sounds, skin signs, and changes in ability to speak• both positive and negative responses

Obtaining Medication from a Glass Ampule

Common Packaging of Epinephrine

• Medication name• Dosage (1:1,000 or 1mg/1ml)• Expiration date• Not cloudy; no color or precipitate

Hold the ampule upright and tap its top to dislodge any trapped solution.

Place Gauze around the neck

Snap off the Top

Draw up the Medication

Using a 1cc syringe, insert the needle into the ampule and draw the plunger back on the syringe until you reach the correct dosage (0.30cc).

Consideration

WVOEMS does not require the use of a filtered needle when drawing from an ampule.

Individual squads may have policies in place that require the use of a filtered needle. Please refer to your squad training officer.

Obtaining Medicationfrom a Vial

Epinephrine in a Vial

Medication name Dosage (1:1,000 or 1mg/1ml) Expiration date Not cloudy; no color or precipitate

Prepare the syringe andhypodermic needle

Clean the vial’s rubber top

Insert the hypodermic needle into the rubber top and inject the air from the syringe into

the vial.

Withdraw the appropriate volume of medication

Using a 1cc (ml) syringe, insert the needle into the vial or ampule, draw the plunger back on the syringe until you reach 0.3cc (ml) mark on the syringe.

Administration• Prepare the site –

– Vigorously rub an alcohol prep in a circular motion– Allow to air dry– Use your fingers to stretch skin and make it taut

• Insert needle at a 90 degree angle• Draw back slightly to insure you have not

cannulated a vessel.• Push slow and steady until medication is

administered• Remove needle and cover puncture site• Dispose of needle properly

Assessment of Medication ResponseDocument patient’s response to treatment: • LOC, behavior, breathing effort, lung sounds,

skin signs, vital signs, and changes in ability to speak

• Document adverse effects, if any

The body’s stress response causes the normal release of epinephrine to maintain homeostasis during vigorous activity: “fight or flight”. These same actions of epinephrine counteract

e.g. the bronchoconstriction and low blood pressure of anaphylaxis when administered by medical personnel.

Airway dilation

Blood flow to skeletal muscles

increases

Pupils dilate

Blood sugar level increases

Heart rate increases

Blood pressure increases

Breathing rate

increases

EPINEPHRINE

Document Vital Signs before and after treatment with Epinephrine

Because epinephrine is expected to cause widespread changes in function, it is important to frequently monitor and document vital signs:

• HR, RR, BP

• include general appearance, work of breathing, lung sounds, skin signs, and ability to speak

Always Wear PPE

• Wear gloves and goggles when assessing the patient, preparing the medication, cleaning the site of injection, and administering the drug.

Vastus lateralis (lateral thigh)is the approved site for administration

Vastus lateralis (lateral thigh)is the approved site for administration

• Good site for all ages

• Far from major blood vessels & nerves

• Medical Command may authorize other sites

If no significant improvement within 10minutes, consider second dose

• If patient is wheezing consider, Albuterol nebulizer 2.5 mg with oxygen 8-10 LPM per order of MCP

• Second dose of Epinephrine requires consultation and order of MCP. It is indicated if patient remains in moderate distress

Equipment Size• Syringe

– The EMT should chose a 1 cc (ml) syringe– DO NOT select a 1cc (ml) insulin syringe with a

subcutaneous injection needle attached

• Needle Size - Adult– Hypodermic needle 21 to 23 gauge– 1 to 1.5 inches long

• Obese patients may require a 2 inch long needle

• Needle Size - Pediatric– Hypodermic needle 25 to 27 gauge– 1 inch long

EMT Epinephrine AdministrationScope: EMT Indications: Anaphylaxis (allergic reaction with respiratory distress); BronchospasmEquipment: Epinephrine kit containing:1, 1 ml ampule of epinephrine 1:1000, 1 tuberculin syringe

with needle, alcohol prepProcedure:

1. Refer to Allergic Reactions and Respiratory Distress Protocols for detailed assessment.2. Ask patient if they have any drug allergies.3. Confirm medication, concentration, dose and clarity of liquid in vial4. Tap ampule to get medicine down from top, break top off ampule with gauze 2x2, place top in sharps container.5. Draw up 0.3cc (ml) of epinephrine 1mg/ml 1:1000, syringe approximately 1/3 full.6. Pointing syringe up, expel all air.7. Inform patient they are going to receive an injection, side effects may include feeling shaky or heart racing.8. Select and cleanse area for Intramuscular injection, primary is the thigh unless directed otherwise by medical command. 9. Keeping the skin taut, insert needle at 90 degrees into administration site and draw back checking for blood return. If there is blood return, select a different site, and insert needle, again check for blood return.10. If no blood, administer 0.3 cc (ml) of epinephrine (1/3 of syringe) for any patient.11. Discard needle properly in sharps container. 12. Observe patient for improvement or deterioration of condition. Repeat exam and vitals after each dose.13. Document procedure, vitals and response to treatment.14. If an additional dose is required consult Allergic Reactions and Respiratory Distress Protocols.15. If indicated by protocol, begin again from step 5.

Potential Pitfalls• Dose Error

– Drawing up epinephrine can potentially result in over or under dosing

– Concentration error – (1:10,000) vs (1:1000) since both drugs are available

– Administration error – epinephrine given IV instead of IM/SQ

• Drug Error– Giving the correct dose of the wrong drug– Who stocks the EMT drugs?

• Potential to stock the wrong drug

Questions ?