Potassium chloride

Description

Intravenous administration of mis-selected concentrated potassium chloride.
 

Preventative guidance

Mis-selection of concentrated potassium chloride for intravenous administration for a flush or instead of the correct medication can have fatal effects. Providers should be aware of the following national advice to reduce the risk of this happening:

• Patient safety alert: Potassium chloride concentrate solutions
  This NPSA alert recommends withdrawal of concentrated solutions from clinical areas other than defined critical care environments, and the use of prepared-in-pharmacy or bought solutions in standard diluted forms.