Alerts

26^th Jan 2011 - Stocking of Vipera berus (Common European Adder) antivenom

The National Poisons Information Service and College of Emergency Medicine have been made aware of an episode where there was a significant delay in antivenom being available for treating a patient with significant Vipera berus envenomation who had presented to an Emergency Department in the UK.
 
You will be aware that the College of Emergency Medicine and National Poisons Information Service published guidelines for the stocking of antidotes in emergency departments in 2008. These guidelines can be downloaded using the following links:
 
https://secure.collemergencymed.ac.uk/asp/document.asp?id=4687

https://secure.collemergencymed.ac.uk/asp/document.asp?id=4684

https://secure.collemergencymed.ac.uk/asp/document.asp?id=4685

For Vipera Berus, CEM/NPIS guidelines recommend that antiserum 'should be available within 1 hour (i.e. within the hospital)'... 'in areas where prevalent'.
 
We are writing this to alert you to this issue and to provide further advice on the prevalence of Vipera berus. While the species is more common in some areas than others, it can occur throughout mainland Britain. It is therefore our advice that all Emergency Departments on the mainland should have access to antiserum. You should be aware that while the Department of Health operates a scheme for antisera for exotic species to be available, this scheme does not include antiserum to Vipera Berus, as this is a domestic species.
 
Vipera berus is not prevalent in Ireland, the Isle of Man or the Channel Islands. There is therefore no requirement for Emergency Departments in these locations to stock antiserum.
 
We would be grateful if you would review stocking arrangements in your hospital in the light of this advice.

4^th Jan 2011 - Human H1N1 (2009 Pandemic) and Seasonal Influenza

Follow the link below for principles and resources prepared by the College of Emergency Medicine to assist Emergency Departments in dealing with current levels of influenza, and its effects on emergency services

Human H1N1 (2009 Pandemic) and Seasonal Influenza

20^th Dec 2010 - Carbon Monoxide Poisoning Awareness

Given the current prolonged adverse weather and possible subsequent fuel shortages, Emergency Departments (EDs) are being advised of two areas of concern:

1. the public may be tempted to burn potentially toxic substances to heat their homes and  
2. there is an increased risk of carbon monoxide poisoning from faulty or poorly ventilated heating systems

Please be aware of these risks when assessing patients with non specific presentations including: headache, dizziness, weakness, nausea, vomiting, chest pain or confusion.

You can download an HPA/CEM algorithm for assessing carbon monoxide poisoning here:

Carbon Monoxide Poisoning Algorithm (2009)

Information for members of the public is available on the HPA website:

http://www.hpa.org.uk/web/HPAweb&Page&HPAwebAutoListName/Page/1226908886240 

MHRA: monitoring the safety of seasonal influenza vaccines in children (Sept 2010)
The MHRA have asked for your help with monitoring the safety of seasonal influenza vaccines in children. They strongly encourage healthcare professionals to promptly report any cases of febrile convulsion occurring within 72 hours of receiving an influenza vaccine. Click on the link above for more details.