'Risk of harm': National patient safety alert issued to healthcare staff over patient allergy error
Affected patients may be contacted directly by a healthcare professional 🏥
- A patient safety alert has been issued following reports of healthcare staff incorrectly recording a patient’s penicillin allergy.
- Approximately one in 100 people has a penicillin allergy.
- Affected patients may be contacted directly by a healthcare professional.
A patient safety alert has been issued after reports of healthcare staff incorrectly recording a patient’s penicillin allergy.
Issued by the NHS England National Patient Safety team, in collaboration with the Royal Pharmaceutical Society, Royal College of Physicians and Royal College of General Practitioners, the report found a patient’s penicillin allergy had incorrectly been recorded as a penicillamine allergy in electronic prescribing systems.
Penicillin is commonly found in antibiotics, including Amoxicillin, Phenoxymethylpenicillin (penicillin V), Flucloxacillin, Co-amoxiclav and Piperacillin with tazobactam.
Penicillamine is a medication used to treat Wilson’s disease and severe active rheumatoid arthritis.
The error has serious consequences, with the risk of a patient having a potentially fatal anaphylactic reaction. Primary and secondary care healthcare workers have been called to establish working groups to identify those affected.
Healthcare staff should always check a patient’s allergy status before prescribing or administering medication as part of routine safety procedures.
Patients do not need to take any immediate action; those affected may be contacted directly by a healthcare professional.
What is a penicillin allergy?
Penicillin is a type of antibiotic prescribed by medical professionals to treat an infection; however, some people may be allergic to it.
Examples of antibiotics with penicillin include Amoxicillin, Phenoxymethylpenicillin (penicillin V), Flucloxacillin, Co-amoxiclav and Piperacillin with tazobactam.
Approximately one in 100 people has a penicillin allergy. For most people, the NHS explain that an allergic reaction to penicillin will include a mild skin reaction or rash that develops slowly, several hours or days after taking the antibiotic.
However, others can experience a more severe reaction called anaphylaxis. Symptoms, including widespread itchy rash (hives), breathing difficulty, swelling or collapse, will usually develop within minutes of taking the antibiotic.
What do patients need to do?
Patients do not need to take any immediate action; those affected may be contacted directly by a healthcare professional. If you have any concerns about medication you have been prescribed, contact your GP or local pharmacy for support and information.
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