CAS-ViewAlert

View Alert




Originator:		National Patient Safety Agency
Issue date:		01-Dec-2009 12:31:51
This alert has been issued to:
		Care Trusts Mental Health Trusts Specialists Trusts Learning Disabilities Trusts Mental Health & Social Care Trusts Ambulance Trusts Primary Care Trusts Mental Health & Learning Disabilities Trusts Acute Trusts Community Trusts
		Other contacts Independent Healthcare Providers (registered with CAS) Ofsted recipients Social Care Providers (registered with CAS) Strategic Health Authorities Special Health Authorities
Action category:		Immediate Action
Title:		Safer lithium therapy
Broadcast content:		All NHS healthcare organisations where lithium therapy is initiated, prescribed, dispensed and monitored, should ensure that by 31 December 2010 : • patients prescribed lithium are monitored in accordance with NICE guidance; • there are reliable systems to ensure blood test results are communicated between laboratories and prescribers; • at the start of lithium therapy and throughout their treatment patients receive appropriate ongoing verbal and written information and a record book to track lithium blood levels and relevant clinical tests; • prescribers and pharmacists check that blood tests are monitored regularly and that it is safe to issue a repeat prescription and/or dispense the prescribed lithium; • systems are in place to identify and deal with medicines that might adversely interact with lithium therapy. This Patient Safety Alert is intended for chief executives and boards. The NPSA has developed a patient information booklet, lithium alert card and record book for tracking blood tests. Details of how to order this material is in the supporting information for the Alert, available from the NPSA website.
Additional information:		Some patients taking lithium have been harmed because they have not had their dosage adjusted based on recommended regular blood tests. If patients are not informed of the known side effects or symptoms of toxicity, they cannot manage their lithium therapy safely. Regular blood tests are important. Clinically significant alterations in lithium blood levels occur with commonly prescribed and over-the-counter medicines. The blood level of lithium is dependent on kidney function and lithium has the potential to interfere with kidney (renal) and thyroid functions.
Alert reference:		NPSA/2009/PSA005
Action underway deadline:		01-Feb-2010
Action complete deadline:		31-Dec-2010
Gateway reference:		13099
Attachments:		Safer_lithium_therapy_FINAL.pdf