Lightning Learning: Time Critical Medications
““There are many regular yet critical medications that MUST be given to patients whilst in the Emergency Department. Time is of the essence.””
STOP!
There are critical regular medications that MUST be given to patients in the Emergency Department.
These have been highlighted by the Royal College of Emergency Medicine (RCEM).
With increasing delays in patients leaving the Emergency Department it may be prudent that some medications are prescribed regularly on a drug chart to minimise harm to patients.
LOOK
Critical drugs that shouldn’t be omitted or delayed:
ALL medicines used in emergency situations – e.g. resuscitation drugs
Anticoagulation – Prophylaxis or treatment (consider patient presentation)
Anti-epileptics
Anti-infectives – e.g. the 2nd dose of antibiotics
Anti-parkinson medicines
Insulin
Steroids – Consider increasing dose if patient unwell
Strong opioids – Prescribed regularly for acute/chronic pain
LEARN
- RCEM: Safety Newsflash: Time Critical Medicines
- Parkinson’s UK: Emergency Management of Patients with Parkinson’s
- British Thoracic Society: What to do when patients with epilepsy cannot take their usual oral medications
