Irish Medication Safety Alert

Collaborative publication by the Irish Medication Safety Network & Parkinson’s Ireland

Parkinson’s Ireland are excited to be involved in the update of the IMSN (Irish Medication Safety Network) Parkinson’s Safety Alert. Our involvement in this project encompasses our key objectives of education to all, people with Parkinson’s, care partners and health professionals, and advocacy for our members.

These series of safety alerts raise awareness among healthcare professionals providing care for a person with Parkinson’s disease in their setting. The alerts emphasises the significance of managing a person’s medication, with provision of risk mitigation strategies to lessen chance of harm to those who have the disease, either through delay of drug administration, or administration of drugs inappropriate for a person with Parkinson’s Disease.

We are delighted to have had the opportunity to collaborate with a fantastic working group. We believe the updated safety alert will complement our Parkinson’s passport tool very well, increasing awareness and alleviating stress for people with Parkinson’s.

You can access the alert by clicking here.

Reducing harm from omitted and delayed Parkinson’s Disease medications in Irish hospitals

This year, the Irish Medication Safety Network (IMSN) & Parkinson’s Ireland agreed to work together with a common goal to enhance the safe use of medicines for people with Parkinson’s disease, in particular for those admitted to hospital in Ireland.

Established in 2007, the Irish Medication Safety Network (www.imsn.ie) is a voluntary, independent group of hospital pharmacists from public and private Irish hospitals, with the aim to improve patient safety with regard to the use of medicines. We promote the exchange of information on medication safety & facilitate and support national and global initiatives to help minimise risks to patients.

In 2018, the IMSN published a one-page guidance document for front line healthcare professionals on Reducing harm from omitted and delayed Parkinson’s disease medications. In 2024, the IMSN and Parkinson’s Ireland established a collaborative working group to review and update this document, with a ‘people with Parkinson’s’ focus. The working group includes:

· Specialist PD nurses from Parkinson’s Ireland

· Pharmacists from Our Lady’s Hospital, Navan; Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital, Drogheda; St John’s Hospital, Limerick, & St Vincent’s University Hospital, Dublin

· Medical review/sign off by a Medical Consultant working with Parkinson’s Ireland

The hospital pharmacists involved work in different models of hospital – from smaller, less acute hospitals, to regional, acute hospitals to large, academic teaching hospitals, representing a variety of the different hospital environments people with Parkinson’s could be admitted to in Ireland, all with goal of providing high quality and timely care.

How can I best ensure I receive my anti-Parkinson’s medications on time in hospital?

1. Bring in your own supply of regular medications with you.

On occasion, there may be delay sourcing some of the less frequently used medications used to treat Parkinson’s disease, so to avoid any interruption to your usual medication schedule it can be helpful for patients to have your own supply. Discuss this with the healthcare professionals looking after you

2. Bring in a list of all your regular medications. Inform us of times you take your Parkinson’s medications

For people with Parkinson’s attending hospital, it is really helpful to provide a list of up-to-date medications that you are taking, including any ‘over the counter’ medications or any herbal preparations. This can ensure that while you are in hospital we are aware of all the medications you take, and in relation to anti-Parkinson’s medicines, what times of day you take your medication to best suit you.

You could keep the list in your Parkinson’s passport, or the HSE have developed a ‘My Medicines List’ template you can fill in available via www.hse.ie/safermeds. It would be helpful if you allow healthcare professional view/photocopy your medication list, and then return it to you. Keep your Parkinson’s passport/medication list with you – so if you move within the hospital environment, your list moves with you.

In Autumn 2024, the Irish Medication Safety Network & Parkinson’s Ireland intend to jointly publish updated guidance aimed at front line healthcare professionals in Irish hospitals on Reducing harm from omitted and delayed Parkinson’s Disease medication. We intend to publish further guidance on medications that should be avoided in people with Parkinson’s disease before the end of 2024.

Parkinson’s Ireland would like to thank Niamh O’ Hanlon (Chair, IMSN) for putting together this piece for us.