Safer neuraxial devices

Safer connectors for spinal, epidural and regional devices

Fatal and serious incidents have occurred when medicines intended for intravenous administration have been administered into the spine and medicines intended for epidural use have been administered intravenously.

The NPSA issued guidance to prevent these incidents in a Patient Safety Alert published in November 2009 and an update Alert in November 2011.

In part A of the Alert the following action was required by 1st April 2011

  • all spinal (intrathecal) bolus doses and lumbar puncture samples are performed using syringes, needles and other devices with safer connectors that will not connect with intravenous Luer connectors

In Part B of the Alert the following action was required by 1st April 2012

  • all epidural, spinal (intrathecal) and regional infusions and boluses are performed with devices that use safer connectors that will not connect with intravenous Luer connectors or intravenous infusion spikes;

A neuraxial update newsletter is published regularly to provide the latest on new devices being developed and supplied to the NHS. It also provides answers to Frequently Asked Questions on this initiative and other relevant news. Copies of the newsletter are available in the resources tab above.

Case studies soon...

To contact the medication safety team please email us or telephone 020 7927 9356.

Resources available

Title Type Size
Neuraxial update newsletter - Feb 2013 pdf 523kb
Neuraxial update newsletter - Mar 2012 pdf 348kb
Neuraxial update newsletter - Oct 2011 pdf 437kb
Neuraxial update newsletter - Feb 2011 pdf 266kb
Neuraxial update newsletter - Aug 2010 pdf 341kb

To contact the medication safety team please email us or telephone 020 7927 9356.

To get involved join our Safer neuraxial devices discussion forum.

To contact the medication safety team please email us or telephone 020 7927 9356.

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