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Important: please update your RDS app to version 4.7.3 Details with newsletter below.

Please update your RDS app to v4.7.3

We asked you in January to update to v4.7.2.  After the deployment planned for 27th February, this new update will be needed to ensure that you are able to download RDS toolkits even when the RDS website is not available. We will wait until as many users as possible have downloaded the new version before switching off the old system for app downloads and moving entirely to the new approach.

To check your current RDS version, click on the three dots bottom right of the RDS app screen. This takes you to a “More” page where you will see the version number. 

To update to the latest release:

 On iPhones – go to the Apple store, click on your profile icon top right, scroll down to see the apps waiting to be updated and update the RDS app.

On Android phones – these can vary, but try going to the Google Play store, click on your profile icon top right, click on “Manage apps and device”, select and update the RDS app.

Right Decision Service newsletter: February 2025

Welcome to the February 2025 update from the RDS team

1.     Next release of RDS

 

A new release of RDS is planned (subject to outcomes of current testing) for week beginning 24th February. This will deliver:

 

  • Fixes to mitigate the recurring glitches with the RDS admin area and the occasional brief user interface outages which have arisen following implementation of the new distributed technology infrastructure in December 2024.

 

  • Capability to embed content from Google calendar, Google Maps, Daily Motion, Twitter feeds, Microsoft Stream into RDS pages.

 

  • Capability to include simple multiplication in RDS calculators.

 

The release will also incorporate a number of small fixes, including:

  • Exporting of form within Medicines Sick Day Guidance in polypharmacy toolkit
  • Links to redundant content appearing in search in some RDS toolkits
  • Inclusion of accordion headers alongside accordion text in search result snippets.
  • Feedback form on mobile app.
  • Internal links on mobile app version of benzo tapering tool

 

We will let you know when the date and time for the new release are confirmed.

 

2.     New RDS developments

There is now the capability to publish toolkits on the web with left hand side navigation rather than tiles on the homepage. To use this feature, turn on the “Toggle navigation panel” option at the top of the Page settings menu at toolkit homepage level – see below. Please note that publication to downloadable mobile app for this type of navigation is still under development.

The Benzodiazepine tapering tool (https://rightdecisions.scot.nhs.uk/benzotapering) is now available as part of the RDS toolkit for the national benzodiazepine prescribing guidance developed by the Scottish Government Effective Prescribing team. The tool uses this national guidance developed with a wide-ranging multidisciplinary group. This should be used in combination with professional judgement and an understanding of the needs of the individual patient.

3.     Archiving and version control and new RDS Search and Browse interface

Due to the intensive work Tactuum has had to undertake on the new technology infrastructure has pushed back the delivery dates again and some new requirements have come out of the recent user acceptance testing. It now looks likely to be an April release for the search and browse interface. The archiving and version control functionality may be released earlier. We’ll keep you posted.

4.     Statistics

At the end of January, Olivia completed the generation of the latest set of usage statistics for all RDS toolkits. If you would like a copy of the stats for your toolkit, please contact Olivia.graham@nhs.scot .

 

5.     Review of content past its review date

We have now generated reports of all RDS toolkit content that has exceeded its review date by 6 months or more. We will be in touch later this month with toolkit owners and editors to agree the plan for updating or withdrawing out of date content.

 

6.     Toolkits in development

Some important toolkits in development by the RDS team include:

  • National CVD prevention pathways – due for release end of March 2025.
  • National respiratory pathways, optimal cancer diagnostic pathways and cancer prehabilitation pathways from the Centre for Sustainable Delivery. We will shortly start work on the national cancer referral pathways, first version due for release via RDS around end of June 2025.
  • HIS Quality of Care Review toolkit – currently in final stages of quality assurance.

 

The RDS team and other information scientists in HIS have also been producing evidence summaries for the Scottish Government Realistic Medicine team, to inform development of national guidance around Procedures of Limited Clinical Value. This guidance will in due course be translated into an RDS toolkit.

 

7. Training sessions for new editors (also serve as refresher sessions for existing editors) will take place on the following dates:

  • Friday 28th February 12-1 pm
  • Tuesday 11th March 4-5 pm

 

To book a place, please contact Olivia.graham@nhs.scot, providing your name, organisation, job role, and level of experience with RDS editing (none, a little, moderate, extensive.)

 

To invite colleagues to sign up to receive this newsletter, please signpost them to the registration form  - also available in End-user and Provider sections of the RDS Learning and Support area.   If you have any questions about the content of this newsletter, please contact his.decisionsupport@nhs.scot  If you would prefer not to receive future newsletters, please email Olivia.graham@nhs.scot and ask to be removed from the circulation list.

With kind regards

 

Right Decision Service team

Healthcare Improvement Scotland

 

 

Red – For medicines normally initiated and used under specialist guidance

Introduction

Description

Anaesthetic agent used with specialist supervision as a third-line analgesic to manage complex pain. It is an N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor inhibitor. This use is outside the UK marketing authorisation.

 

Preparations

(Note: Will need indication for use on prescription, for example ‘for nerve pain’)

Ketamine injection

  • Used by subcutaneous injection/ infusion.
  • Specialists occasionally give ketamine IV – see below.
  • Preparations: 10mg/ml (20ml ampoule), 50mg/ml (10ml vial)

Ketamine oral solution

  • 50mg/5ml (unlicensed specials medicine)
  • (This is the preferred strength but other options are available)
  • Injection may be given orally

Ketamine is a Schedule 2 CD (Controlled Drug), therefore all prescriptions must satisfy CD prescription requirements to be valid and include details of the dose, form, strength, directions for use and total quantity (in both words and figures). It must also follow CD storage and recording regulations.

Sample prescription

 

Indications

†Unlicensed

  • Neuropathic pain poorly responsive to titrated opioids and oral adjuvant analgesics (for example antidepressant and/or anticonvulsant) particularly when there is abnormal pain sensitivity - allodynia, hyperalgesia or hyperpathia.
  • Complex ischaemic limb pain or phantom limb pain.
  • Poorly controlled incident bone pain (often has a neuropathic element).
  • Complex visceral/abdominal neuropathic pain.

 

Cautions

  • Use low doses, carefully monitored, in cardiac failure, cerebrovascular disease, ischaemic heart disease.
  • If used for over 3 weeks and there is a need to stop treatment, discontinue ketamine gradually.
  • Consider dose reduction in severe hepatic impairment.

 

Contra-indications

  • Do not use ketamine if patient has raised intracranial pressure; uncontrolled hypertension, delirium or recent seizures; history of psychosis.

 

Drug interactions

  • Ketamine interacts with theophylline (tachycardia, seizures) and levothyroxine (monitor for hypertension, tachycardia).
  • Diazepam increases the plasma concentration of ketamine.
  • Refer to relevant British National Formulary (BNF) section for further information.

 

Side effects

  • Hallucinations, dysphoria and vivid dreams.
  • Hypertension, tachycardia, raised intracranial pressure.
  • Sedation at higher doses.
  • Erythema and pain at infusion site.
  • Urinary tract symptoms, for example frequency, urgency, urge incontinence, dysuria and haematuria. (Where there is no evidence of bacterial infection, consider discontinuing ketamine and seeking urology advice.)

 

Dose and administration

Starting ketamine

  • Ketamine is started on the recommendation of a palliative medicine consultant. This is usually done in an inpatient setting.
  • Very occasionally, a patient may need to start ketamine in the community. The route of choice is generally oral ketamine. The palliative medicine consultant will liaise closely with the GP, community nurse, and unscheduled care service.
  • 24-hour palliative medicine advice will be available.
  • Patients starting ketamine will be taking a regular opioid. Ketamine may restore the patient’s opioid sensitivity and lead to opioid toxicity.
  • The specialist may recommend changing to a short acting, regular opioid before starting ketamine, particularly if the patient has side effects from the current opioid dose.
  • Monitor closely for signs of opioid toxicity (for example sedation, confusion); reduce opioid dose by one third if the patient is drowsy and seek advice.
  • Hallucinations/dysphoria. If the patient is not drowsy this is more likely to be a ketamine side effect than due to opioids.
  • Give QThaloperidol oral 500micrograms to 1mg twice daily or SC 1mg to 2mg once daily. Midazolam SC 2mg as needed can also be used.
  • Preventing ketamine dysphoria – consider oral QThaloperidol 500micrograms to 1mg daily when starting ketamine. It can be stopped when the patient’s ketamine dose is stable.

 

Dose and administration – oral ketamine

  • Ketamine can be started using the oral route or patients may be changed from an SC infusion when pain is controlled.
  • Starting dose: 5mg to 10mg four times daily.
  • Increase dose in 5mg to 10mg increments.
  • Usual dose range: 10mg to 60mg four times daily.

 

Dose and administration – subcutaneous ketamine infusion

  • Starting dose: 50mg to 150mg/24 hours.
  • Review daily; increase dose in 50mg to 100mg increments.
  • Usual dose range: 50mg to 600mg/24 hours (higher doses are occasionally used in specialist units).

 

Administration

  • Prepare a new syringe every 24 hours.
  • Dilute ketamine with sodium chloride 0.9%.
  • Check the syringe is not cloudy and protect it from light.
  • Ketamine stability and compatibility – refer to syringe pump ketamine compatibility table.
  • Dispose of the ketamine vial in accordance with the local policy.
  • Rotate the SC infusion site daily to prevent site reactions. If these occur, increase the volume of sodium chloride 0.9% used to dilute the ketamine if possible and/or add a maximum of 1mg of dexamethasone injection to the ketamine infusion.

 

Converting from a 24-hour SC ketamine infusion to oral ketamine

  • Oral ketamine is more potent than SC ketamine (due to liver metabolism). Many patients require a dose reduction of 25 to 50% when changing to oral ketamine.
  • Prescribe the oral ketamine in divided doses - four times daily.
  • Titrate dose in 5mg to 10mg increments.
  • Some specialists stop the SC infusion when the first dose of oral ketamine is given. Others gradually reduce the infusion dose as the oral dose is increased.

 

 Dose and administration – parenteral ketamine

  • Palliative medicine consultants or anaesthetists occasionally administer SC or IV ketamine as single or ‘pulsed’ doses for severe pain or to cover painful procedures.
  • Specialists have used IV ketamine infusions to manage ischaemic limb pain.

 

Practice points

Patient monitoring

  • Patients who are at risk of hypertension, tachycardia, respiratory depression or opioid toxicity should only start ketamine in a clinical area able to monitor them 2 to 4 hourly for the first 24 hours.
  • All patients should be medically reviewed at least once daily until stable, and then weekly.
  • Once the pain is controlled, the palliative medicine specialist may recommend a gradual reduction in the dose of opioid and/or ketamine.

 

Blood pressure

  • Check blood pressure is normal or well controlled before starting ketamine. Record a baseline blood pressure.
  • Check blood pressure one hour after the first dose of oral ketamine or starting a SC infusion.
  • Check blood pressure 24 hours after the first dose of ketamine, then daily.
  • If blood pressure increases 20mmHg above baseline inform the patient’s doctor.
  • If blood pressure remains elevated 20mmHg above baseline on repeated measurement, stop the ketamine and seek advice from a palliative medicine specialist.

 

 Pulse

  • Record a baseline pulse rate.
  • Check pulse one hour after the first dose of ketamine or starting SC infusion.
  • Check pulse 24 hours after the first dose of ketamine, then daily.
  • If pulse rate increases 20bpm above baseline or rises above 100bpm, inform the patient’s doctor.
  • If there is no other cause of tachycardia, seek advice from a palliative medicine specialist.

 

Respiratory rate

  • Record a baseline respiratory rate.
  • The palliative medicine specialist will advise on frequency of monitoring.
  • If respiratory rate decreases to 10 breaths/minute inform medical staff. Seek advice from a palliative medicine specialist.
  • Naloxone (in small titrated doses) is only required for reversal of life-threatening respiratory depression due to opioid analgesics, indicated by:
    • a low respiratory rate, fewer than 8 respirations/minute
    • oxygen saturation below 85%, patient cyanosed.
  • Naloxone should not be given in large bolus doses as it can precipitate an acute opioid withdrawal reaction. Refer to Naloxone guideline.

 

Dysphoria, hallucinations, vivid dreams

Assess patient daily until ketamine dose is stable; then stop any regular QThaloperidol or midazolam.

 

Patient and carer advice points

  • There can be a delay of several days in obtaining further supplies of ketamine. Advise patients to ensure new supplies are requested in adequate time.
  • The taste of ketamine can be unpleasantly bitter. Patients can suck or chew on something sweeter after taking. Other flavours can also be requested.

 

References

Prommer EE. Ketamine for pain: An update of uses in Palliative Care. Journal of Palliative Medicine 2012;15(4):474-483.

Quibell R, Prommer EE, Mihalyo M. Ketamine. Journal of Pain & Symptom Management 2011;41(3):640-649.

Twycross R and Wilcock A. Palliative Care Formulary (Fourth Edition). Palliativedrugs.com Ltd, Nottingham, 2011.

Hanks G et al. The Oxford Textbook of Palliative Medicine (Fourth edition). Oxford Univeristy Press, 2010.

Fallon M, Welsh J. The role of ketamine in pain control. European Journal of Palliative Care 1996; 3:143-146.

Mercadante S. Ketamine in cancer pain: an update. Palliative Medicine 1996; 10: 225-230.

Edmonds P. The role of ketamine in the management of chronic pain. CME Bulletin Palliative Medicine 1998; 1:3-5.

Grant I, Nimmo W, Clements J. Pharmacokinetics and analgesic effects of IM and oral ketamine. British Journal of Anaesthesia 1981; 53:805-809.

Enarson M, Hays H, Woodroffe M. Clinical experience with oral ketamine. Journal Pain & Symptom Management 1999; 5: 384-386.

Bell RF. Low-dose subcutaneous ketamine infusion and morphine tolerance. Pain 1999; 83: 101-103.

Fitzgibbon E, Hall P, Schroder C et al. Low Dose Ketamine as an Analgesic Adjuvant in Difficult Pain Syndromes: A Strategy for Conversion from Parenteral to Oral Ketamine. Journal Pain & Symptom Management 2002; 23(2): 165-170.

Beitez-Rosario M, Feria M, Salinas-Martin A. A retrospective comparison of the dose ratio between subcutaneous and oral ketamine. Journal Pain & Symptom Management 2003; 25: 400-402.

Kannan T, Saxena A, Bhatnagar, Barry A. Oral ketamine as an adjuvant to oral morphine for neuropathic pain in cancer patients. Journal Pain & Symptom Management 2002; 23: 6065.

Bell R, Eccleston C, Kalso E. Ketamine as an adjuvant to opioids for cancer pain (Cochrane Review). In: The Cochrane Library. Issue 3, 2004. Oxford: Update Software.

Hocking G, Cousins M. Ketamine in chronic pain management: an evidence-based review. AnaesthAnalg. 2003; 97: 1730-9.

Visser E, Schug S. The role of ketamine in pain management. Biomedicine and Pharmacotherapy 2006; 60: 341-348.

Webster L, Walker M. Safety and efficacy of prolonged outpatient ketamine infusions for neuropathic pain. American Journal of Therapeutics 2006; 13: 300-5.

 

Stability references

Watson D, Lin M, Morton A et al. Compatibility and stability of dexamethasone sodium phosphate and ketamine hydrochloride subcutaneous infusions in polypropylene syringes. Journal Pain & Symptom Management 2005; 30: 80-86.

Twycross R and Wilcock A. Palliative Care Formulary (Fourth Edition). Palliativedrugs.com Ltd, Nottingham, 2011.

Dickman A, Schneider J and Varga J. The Syringe Driver (Third Edition). Oxford University Press 2011.