Primary Care
Knowledge about using auto-injectable adrenaline: review of patients' case notes and interviews with general practitioners
BMJ 2003; 327 doi: https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.327.7427.1328 (Published 04 December 2003) Cite this as: BMJ 2003;327:1328
- Grant R Hayman, specialist registrar (grant.hayman@epsom-sthelier.nhs.uk)1,
- Jacqueline A Bansal, research nurse1,
- Amolak S Bansal, consultant1
- Department of Immunology, Epsom and St Helier NHS Trust, Carshalton, Surrey SM5 1AA
- Correspondence to: G R Hayman
- Accepted 6 November 2003
Introduction
In the United Kingdom, the rising incidence of anaphylaxis is of concern. Affected patients should avoid exposure to allergens; after inadvertent exposure, symptoms can be treated with emergency packs, which include adrenaline. In our clinic, we often prescribe preloaded devices for auto-injecting adult or paediatric doses of adrenaline. Because referred patients' (or their parents’) knowledge about using these devices was poor at the first visit to the clinic, we assessed the knowledge of local general practitioners.
Participants, methods, and results
Patients (or their parents) prescribed injectable adrenaline are routinely evaluated at the first hospital assessment about their knowledge of how and when auto-injecting devices should be used. We reviewed these …