Risk of severe harm or death when desmopressin is omitted or delayed in patients with cranial diabetes insipidus – Patient Safety Alert

NHS England has issued this safety alert to raise awareness of the risk of severe dehydration and death caused by an omission or delay of desmopressin in patients with cranial diabetes insipidus.

The main themes identified as causes include a lack of awareness of the critical nature of desmopressin amongst medical, pharmacy and nursing staff; and poor availability of the medication within inpatient clinical areas.

 

Separately, the Central Alerting System has also issued an alert advising providers of NHS care to consider if immediate action needs to be taken locally to reduce the risk of these incidents occurring.