Patients with Parkinson disease should receive their dopaminergic medicines at their usual times, including on the day of surgery and as soon as possible afterwards. Delays can cause rigidity, swallowing difficulty, and in severe cases a withdrawal-type syndrome.
Make sure the ward has the patient's exact regimen and a route for giving it if they cannot swallow, and involve the neurology or Parkinson team early.
- Record the exact drugs, doses and times.
- Continue on schedule through the perioperative period.
- Plan a non-oral route if swallowing is unsafe.
- Involve the Parkinson team early.
Why it matters
Missed doses are a common and avoidable cause of postoperative deterioration.
Read the rest in the app
You have read your two free briefings this month. The app carries all 27 specialties, every morning, free — and this finding is waiting in it.
Scan to keep reading on your phone. No account needed to start.
Tomorrow morning, before your first patient
One edition a day for orthopaedics, written by the desk, every claim tied to its paper. Six minutes.
Get the app — free