August 1st marks the day Fishers Fire Department first responders will begin to use a non-addictive pain reliever Nitronox (also called laughing gas-nitrous oxide) when responding to medical emergencies in need of pain management. Fishers is the first in the state of Indiana to provide this option. Nitronix will replace opiate pain options, such as Fentanyl.
To be blunt, chemistry was never my best subject, so I am am passing on part of the news release from the Fishers Fire Department below:
===============
Nitronox is 90% effective in controlling pain and reduces anxiety. Quick acting and quick to wear off, this option can be utilized for such injuries to extremities like broken bones and sprains. It can not be used for abdominal pain, head injuries, collapsed lungs, or secondary to opiates. Fire Chief Steven Orusa said, “This is an effective and responsible adjustment to the care of our patients without the introduction of opiates into their system when possible.”
To be eligible for patients to be given this medication, they must be alert enough to administer the gas to themselves, under the supervision of a paramedic. It will take effect within 2-3 minutes, and when proper sedation has been given, the patient naturally drops the mask. This may re-occur through the course of the ride to the hospital as needed. This is a portable system and can be brought to the patients location.
Administrators for the department will be closely monitoring the use and effectiveness of the Nitronox and will be providing that information to our medical director at St. Vincent Hospital as well as the State of Indiana EMS Medical Director, a division of IDHS.
Fishers Fire Department operates three Advanced Life Support (ALS) transporting ambulances as well as 6 additional apparatus with ALS capabilities. All Fishers firefighters meet a minimum requirement of Emergency Medical
Technician (EMT.) 144 firefighters operate out of six fire houses and one EMS sub-station.
Fentanyl was provided on 10% of 2017 transports. This treatment change is estimated to reduce the use of Fentanyl by 2/3rds.