NHS warns over common drug after 25 'serious incidents' and baby death
NHS has issued an urgent safety alert over a common drug after 25 serious incidents and a baby death. NHS officials say 25 oxytocin overdose incidents have been reported in the last five years - with users of the drug warned.
Oxytocin is a hormone that is used to alter contractions during labour or in significantly higher doses to control bleeding after childbirth. But accidental administration of a postnatal dose of oxytocin before to the birth of the baby can lead to “significant harm” to mother and baby, NHS officials said.
NHS officials have issued a patient safety alert over the “risk of oxytocin overdose during labour and childbirth”, after 25 oxytocin overdose incidents have been reported in the last five years. "A woman (received) a pre-prepared postpartum oxytocin infusion in place of IV fluids while in labour,” the alert states.
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“The baby’s heart rate slowed, and the woman required an emergency caesarean section due to a placental abruption. The baby was born in poor condition and admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) for close monitoring.”
Other reports described include postpartum oxytocin accidentally given during labour or in theatre before a caesarean section. And others included oxytocin infusions and IV fluids being “confused”, leading to oxytocin “running through freely or at a significantly increased rate during labour”.
Baby Harry Richford died during childbirth after his mum was given oxytocin during childbirth. The alert has been issued by NHS England's national patient safety team and endorsed by the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, Royal College of Midwives and the Royal College of Anaesthetists.
It calls for maternity providers to stop pre-preparing oxytocin infusions at ward level, in all clinical areas, including delivery suites and theatres. To minimise any potential risks of delayed treatment of excessive bleeding after birth, post-partum haemorrhage kits or trolleys should be made available in all clinical areas, the alert adds.