Patient safety

Patient safety alert – Risk of severe harm or death when desmopressin is omitted or delayed in patients with cranial diabetes insipidus

A patient safety alert has been issued by NHS England to raise awareness of the risk of severe dehydration and death caused by an omission or delay of desmopressin in patients with cranial diabetes insipidus. Cranial diabetes insipidus is a rare disorder of the pituitary gland characterised by an inability to produce antidiuretic hormone (ADH), […]

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The risk of using different airway humidification devices simultaneously

A stage one alert has been issued to raise awareness of the risk of having two different types of airway humidification devices simultaneously connected to a patient’s ventilation equipment. The risk of using different airway humidification devices simultaneously There are two humidifiers in common use: heated (water) humidifiers (HHs), usually located between the ventilator and […]

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Patient safety alert – The risk of using different airway humidification devices simultaneously

A joint patient safety alert has been issued by NHS England and the Medicines & Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) to raise awareness of the risk of having two different types of airway humidification devices simultaneously connected to a patient’s ventilation equipment. There are two humidifiers in common use: heated [water] humidifiers (HHs), usually located […]

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The importance of checking vital signs during and after restrictive interventions/manual restraint

A stage one alert has been issued to raise awareness of the importance of taking, recording and responding to vital signs where restraint has been used to manage a person’s behaviour if they are at risk to themselves or others. The importance of checking vital signs during and after restrictive interventions/manual restraint Healthcare professionals should […]

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Patient safety alert – The importance of checking vital signs during and after restrictive interventions/manual restraint

A patient safety alert has been issued by NHS England to raise awareness of the importance of taking, recording and responding to vital signs where restraint has been used to manage a person’s behaviour if they are at risk to themselves or others. Healthcare professionals should follow existing guidance on positive interventions to reduce the […]

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Risk of death and serious harm by falling from hoists

A stage one alert has been issued to highlight the risk of falls from hoists. Risk of death and serious harm by falling from hoists The alert has been issued following patient safety incident reports that suggest existing Health and Safety Executive (HSE) advice on safely using hoists and providing training had not always been […]

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