MedicAlert® Foundation - New Zealand Incorporated A non-profit charity. Registration #CC25227 A: PO Box 40028, Upper Hutt 5018 P: 0800 840 111 11 April 2022 WESTERN BOP PRIMARY HEALTH ORG. LTD. Primary Health Organizations Mr. James Peckett
Sent via Email Ashley.bloomfield@health.govt.nz Morag.mcdowell@hdc.org.nz CC:
Director General of Health Health and Disability Commissioner
Prevention of Avoidable Harm – Drug Allergies Dear Mr. Peckett, A recent Health and Disability Commission report again pointed to an avoidable death due to a Health Consumers life threatening Drug Allergy. This matter immediately bought back memories of the awful and heart wrenching agony and death of Eunice Richardson in a Christchurch Hospital, also due to a known life-threatening drug allergy. Following Eunice’s death, the HQSC issued a Safety Signal recommending use of MedicAlert®’s Service for Drug Allergies, this is also supported by the World Allergy Organisation. Heath Consumers typically have little knowledge of the Medical Warning System and even more rarely think to ask what is on the system. The Foundation with now 60 years of experience supporting such people in New Zealand, knows full well failing to actively support Health Consumers and maintain their awareness can have deadly consequences, people can be forgetful, more so when stressed or anxious, simply handing them information is not enough. The Foundation has also observed the changing nature of staff within DHB’s, with Health Professionals being sourced from overseas. Like the issue with the MWS, the Foundation is concerned awareness of the availability of MedicAlert’s Harm Prevention Services may also be diminished as a result. `The Foundation is working on new digital pathways to help facilitate more timely access to its services by Health Professionals using Cloud Health IT Solutions, we welcome the opportunity to demonstrate such to DHB Health Professionals in due course. In the meantime, it is imperative we communicate with all Health Professionals on the front line, not only how to use the Medical Warning System, but also how to refer a Health Consumers to the Foundation for a personalized Medical Alerting Health Information Service with inherently linked Medical Identification, immediately a diagnosis occurs. MedicAlert is a Community Based Charitable Service enforces proven health information safety standards for Health Consumer safety and protection, in accordance with the Health Information Privacy Code 2020 (and prior) and is of considerable economic value to the Health System. I would be most grateful if you can please circulate this letter electronically with this link to an order form for your Departmental Heads (including the Emergency Department), so they can educate their staff and have enrolment forms readily available for use. Upon request, the Foundation can also provide a short online training session for DHB Staff. Kindest Regards,
Murray Lord | Chief Executive Officer