Home Page

It's vital not to delay the giving of Parkinson’s drugs.

Even in a very busy department, you must not simply refer to the medical team to sort out a patient with Parkinson's medication later, particularly as you know they are likely to take some time. Any additional delay to the patient receiving their medication risks rapid further deterioration and life threatening complications such as Parkinsonism-hyperpyrexia syndrome (PHS) or neuroleptic-like malignant syndrome, aspiration pneumonia and pressure ulcers.

• Parkinson's medications are time-critical and must be given within 30 mins of prescribed time to ensure your patient’s symptoms controlled and avoid unnecessary harm and distress for your patient.
• Help Parkinson’s patients get the most from their medicines if they develop swallowing difficulties. Read the 'Parkinson’s disease medicines formulations for adults with swallowing difficulties' guidance.
• Ensure patients are optimally medicated in the event they are unable to safely swallow their regular oral Parkinson’s medications. Use the OPTIMAL Parkinson’s Calculator, developed for clinical staff.
• Be aware of medications that may cause HARM (Haloperidol, Anti-psychotics, pRochlorperazine Metoclopramide) to patients with Parkinson's. Haloperidol and other anti-psychotics, prochlorperazine and metaclopramide block Dopamine and are contraindicated in Parkinson's.

• In an emergency situation read the Emergency Management of Patients with Parkinson’s guide. It will be particularly useful for professionals who don’t see people with Parkinson's day-to-day.
• Deep Brain Stimulation device. For safety advice and information regarding these implanted devices, read the Deep Brain Stimulation Medical Safety Issues. Further information can be obtained from the Bristol Brain Centre, North Bristol NHS Trust,  0117 414 8232 or 0117 414 8269 (Monday to Friday). For emergency out-of-hours contact the Movement Disorder Nurse Specialist on 07874885155 or  North Bristol NHS Trust on 0117 950 5050 and ask for duty neurosurgical registrar on call.

This guide tells you how to manage someone with Parkinson's in an emergency situation. It will be particularly useful for professionals who don’t see people with Parkinson's day-to-day.

This Parkinson's UK booklet is for ward staff who need to understand the specific needs of people with Parkinson's.

Parkinson's medications are time-critical and must be given within 30 mins of prescribed time to ensure your patient’s symptoms are controlled and avoid unnecessary harm and distress for your patient.

Click this link to download our care plan we've developed for the MDT to help manage patient's with Parkinson's during their hospital inpatient stay.   Parkinson's Care Plan.pdf [pdf] 200KB

Blood pressure and pulse – It is important you complete a Lying and Standing BP when able and monitor for neurogenic Orthostatic Hypotension (nOH) Lying and Standing chart BP.pdf [pdf] 2MB

Ensure a stool chart is in place and in use. Monitor and manage constipation. UHP Stool Chart - September 2019.pdf [pdf] 720KB

 

Parkinson's Medications 

Parkinson’s disease medicines formulations for adults with swallowing difficulties Guidance to help you ensure your patients with Parkinson’s Disease are able to get the most from their medicines if they develop swallowing difficulties

The OPTIMAL Calculator has been developed for clinical staff to ensure people with Parkinson’s are optimally medicated in the event they are unable to safely swallow their regular oral Parkinson’s medications

Drug Treatments Poster.pdf [pdf] 3MB

Other useful inpatient management plans for people with Parkinson's

PST-005 Inpatient Delirium, Confusion and Psychosis.pdf [pdf] 428KB PST-006 Inpatient Constipation information sheet.pdf [pdf] 425KB PST-007 Inpatient Falls information sheet.pdf [pdf] 429KB PST-008 Inpatient Pneumonia information sheet.pdf [pdf] 419KB