All medical devices and medicinal products containing chlorhexidine - Risk of anaphylactic reaction due to chlorhexidine allergy
(Various manufacturers) Check labels and instructions for use to establish if products contain chlorhexidine prior to use on patients with a known allergy. (MDA/2012/075)
CAS deadlines
Action underway: 22 November 2012, action complete: 25 January 2013
Note: These deadlines are for systems to be in place to ensure there is continued awareness of this problem.
Device
All medical devices and medicinal products containing chlorhexidine.
A variety of medicinal products and medical devices contain chlorhexidine, including some over-the-counter (OTC) products.
The MHRA does not hold a comprehensive list of products containing chlorhexidine. However, examples of products which contain chlorhexidine are: antiseptic creams, wipes, cleansers and skin preparations; antiseptic mouthwashes, toothpastes and dental implants; eye drops and contact lens solutions; antiseptic lozenges and throat sprays; urinary catheters; central venous catheters; and antimicrobial dressings.
Problem
Risk of anaphylactic reaction due to chlorhexidine allergy.
The MHRA has received a number of reports of anaphylactic reactions following the use of products containing chlorhexidine. Two examples are given below:
- a patient had an anaphylactic reaction when a skin wipe that contained chlorhexidine gluconate was used prior to cannulation. The patient had previously had an anaphylactic reaction whilst under general anaesthetic but at the time the cause of the reaction was unknown.
- it was reported that a patient with a known chlorhexidine allergy, which was noted on his file and on his wristband, suffered a cardiac arrest shortly after a chlorhexidine impregnated central venous catheter was inserted whilst in the operating theatre. He was successfully resuscitated.
There are also other reports of allergic reactions to chlorhexidine published in journals.
Action
- Be aware of the potential for an anaphylactic reaction to chlorhexidine.
- Ensure that known allergies are recorded in patient notes.
- Check the labels and instructions for use to establish if products contain chlorhexidine prior to use on patients with a known allergy.
- If a patient experiences an unexplained reaction, check whether chlorhexidine was used or was impregnated in a medical device that was used.
- Report allergic reactions to products containing chlorhexidine to the MHRA.
- Further guidance on anaphylaxis is available from NICE, the Resuscitation Counciland the AAGBI.
Action by
All medical and nursing staff involved in the use of these devices and medicinal products.
Distribution
This MDA has been sent to:
- NHS trusts in England (chief executives)
- Care Quality Commission (CQC) (headquarters) for information
- HSC trusts in Northern Ireland (chief executives)
- NHS boards in Scotland (equipment coordinators)
- Local authorities in Scotland (equipment coordinators)
- NHS boards and trusts in Wales (chief executives)
Onward distribution
Please bring this notice to the attention of relevant employees in your establishment. Below is a suggested list of recipients.
Trusts
CAS and SABS (NI) liaison officers for onward distribution to all relevant staff including:
- A&E departments
- All clinical staff
- All departments
- All surgical units
- All wards
- Anaesthetists
- Clinical governance leads
- Dentists
- Haemodialysis units
- Immunologists
- Infection prevention & control directors
- Infection prevention & control teams
- Intensive care units
- IV nurse specialists
- Medical directors
- Medical oncologists
- Nursing executive directors
- Obstetrics and gynaecology departments
- Ophthalmology departments
- Paramedics
- Pharmacists
- Phlebotomists
- Renal medicine departments
- Resuscitation officers and trainers
- Risk managers
- Supplies managers
- Surgeons
- Theatre managers
- Urology departments
Primary care trusts
CAS liaison officers for onward distribution to all relevant staff including:
- Community dental practices
- Community hospitals
- Community midwives
- Community nurses
- Community pharmacists
- General dental practitioners
- General practitioners
- Minor injury units
- NHS walk-in centres
- Ophthalmic practices
- Optometrists
- Practice managers
Independent distribution
Establishments registered with the Care Quality Commission (CQC) (England only)
This alert should be read by:
- Care homes providing nursing care
- Clinics
- Hospitals in the independent sector
- Independent treatment centres
- Nursing agencies
Please note: CQC and OFSTED do not distribute these alerts. Independent healthcare providers and social care providers can sign up to receive MDAs directly from the Department of Health’s Central Alerting System (CAS) by sending an email to: safetyalerts@dh.gsi.gov.uk and requesting this facility.
Feedback
If you have any comments or feedback on this Medical Device Alert please email us at: dts@mhra.gsi.gov.uk
England
If you are in England, please send enquiries about this notice to the MHRA, quoting reference number MDA/2012/075 or 2012/010/003/081/016
Technical aspects
Sharon Knight or Louise Mulroy
Medicines & Healthcare products Regulatory Agency
Floor 4
151 Buckingham Palace Road
London SW1W 9SZ
Tel: 020 3080 7202 / 7344
Fax: 020 8754 3965
Email: sharon.knight@mhra.gsi.gov.uk or louise.mulroy@mhra.gsi.gov.uk
Clinical aspects
Jonathan Plumb
Medicines & Healthcare products Regulatory Agency
Floor 4
151 Buckingham Palace Road
London SW1W 9SZ
Tel: 020 3080 6648
Fax: 020 8754 3965
Email: jonathan.plumb@mhra.gsi.gov.uk
How to report adverse incidents
Please report via our website: Reporting adverse incidents involving medical devices
Further information about CAS can be found on the CAS website
Northern Ireland
Alerts in Northern Ireland will continue to be distributed via the NI SABS system.
Enquiries and adverse incident reports in Northern Ireland should be addressed to:
Northern Ireland Adverse Incident Centre
Health Estates Investment Group
Room 17
Annex 6
Castle Buildings
Stormont Estate
Dundonald BT4 3SQ
Tel: 02890 523 704
Fax: 02890 523 900
Email: NIAIC@dhsspsni.gov.uk
How to report adverse incidents in Northern Ireland
Please report directly to NIAIC, further information can be found on the NIAIC website
Further information about SABS can be found on the SABS website
Scotland
Enquiries and adverse incident reports in Scotland should be addressed to:
Incident Reporting and Investigation Centre
Health Facilities Scotland
NHS National Services Scotland
Gyle Square
1 South Gyle Crescent
Edinburgh EH12 9EB
Tel: 0131 275 7575
Fax: 0131 314 0722
Email: nss.iric@nhs.net
Wales
Enquiries in Wales should be addressed to:
Improving Patient Safety Team
Medical Directorate
Welsh Government
Cathays Park
Cardiff CF10 3NQ
Tel: 029 2082 3922
Email: Haz-Aic@wales.gsi.gov.uk
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