National Patient Safety Alert: Transition to NRFit™ connectors for intrathecal and epidural procedures, and delivery of regional blocks (31 January 2024)

Summary

This National Patient Safety Alert has been issued by the NHS England National Patient Safety Team, co-badged by the Association of Anaesthetists, Royal College of Anaesthetists and the Safe Anaesthesia Liaison Group, instructing all relevant NHS funded providers to transition to NRFit™ connectors for all intrathecal and epidural procedures, and delivery of regional blocks.

Transition should be completed by 31 January 2025.

Content

Actions required:

1. Prioritise the establishment of a short-life working group (SLWG) to scope out and coordinate the transition to NRFit™ across all relevant clinical specialties:

• a. Identify a clinical lead to chair the group.
• b. Ensure local procurement leads are included to identify all devices that need to transition to NRFit™.
• c. Plan and risk assess the most appropriate and safe process for transition and to monitor implementation.

2. To ensure comprehensive transition from Luer to NRFit™ devices is managed and supply chain continuity maintained, local procurement leads must:

• a. Engage with NHS Supply Chain to agree a timeline for transition to NRFit™.
• b. Identity all device locations and order codes and revise stock management systems.

3. After completion of Action 2, the SLWG will:

• a. Clearly communicate the agreed timeline and implementation plan to all relevant clinical staff.
• b. Ensure all relevant policies, procedures and educational and training resources for intrathecal, epidural and regional block procedures are updated with reference to use of NRFit™ devices and are fully accessible.