Parkinson’s: first national guidelines for safe perioperative care launched

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By Daniel Pye

The first set of national guidelines on the safe care of Parkinson’s patients before, during and after their surgery has been launched.

The Centre for Perioperative Care (CPOC) and The Royal College of Anaesthetists (RCoA) said their guidance addresses high rates of perioperative complications, critical care admission and mortality in Parkinson’s patients.

It is intended for all healthcare professionals involved in perioperative care, including GPs, anaesthetists, surgeons and physicians.

The complex symptoms associated with the disease can cause “significant challenges” such as drinking, eating and moving properly post-surgery if the patient has not had their medication, the RCoA said.

The guidance highlights the importance of patients taking their medications to minimise interruptions to treatment.

A standard set out in the guidance states that all medication should be administered within 30 minutes of the prescribed time. If this is not achievable, it should be “as soon as clinically possible”.

Other standards state the patient should receive uninterrupted treatment by using alternative routes for administering medication when they cannot take it by mouth.