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National Patient Safety Agency Patient Safety Division
National Patient Safety Agency - Patient Safety Division
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Administering Vincristine

 

Issued: 1 Apr 2001

  • Vincristine is a chemotherapy drug, that is given intravenously. Since 1975, 14 people have died, including one this year, because it was mistakenly given intrathecally i.e. as a spinal injection.

  • Two recent reports, one by Professor Brian Toft and one by Professor Kent Wood make a number of recommendations to prevent another person dying as the result of the maladministration of vincristine and intrathecal chemotherapy.

  • The Chief Medical Officer, in a letter of 19 April 2001, asked all NHS trust chief executives to ensure that intrathecal chemotherapy is only administered by designated, trained staff. Is your Trust implementing this?

  • Further guidance laying down procedures that all NHS Trusts will be required to follow for the injection of chemotherapy will be issued soon.

  • The Department of Health is also investigating possible design solutions and the Committee on Safety In Medicines is looking at changes in packaging and labelling which could help prevent error