Following the tragic death of a young girl from anaphylaxis, the Coroner's report focused on concerns around the prescribing of adrenaline auto-injectors (AAI). It highlighted that more awareness and training were needed for those involved in dealing with anaphylactic reactions and that correct training, doses and advice should be given to all those prescribed adrenaline or their carers.
The Surrey Heartlands Medicines Safety Committee decided on a system-wide approach to ensure that the prescribing of AAIs was as safe as possible locally by reviewing existing guidance and care pathways as well as studying primary care prescribing data.
A variety of resources to support the safe and effective prescribing of adrenaline auto-injectors were produced for both primary and secondary care. These support both the discharge of people following an anaphylactic incident and the subsequent prescribing of adrenaline. Practices are addressing incorrect doses of adrenaline that have been identified from ePACT data and are embedding improved processes for review into their own systems.
