What documentation and follow-up actions are recommended for patients with a confirmed drug allergy?

Documentation:

• Document the confirmed drug allergy in the patient's medical records, including the drug name, whether the reaction was allergic or non-allergic, the signs, symptoms, severity, and the date of the reaction.
• Record the investigations used to confirm or exclude the diagnosis.
• Clearly document which drugs or drug classes the patient should avoid in the future.
• Ensure drug allergy status is recorded separately from other adverse drug reactions and is clearly visible to all healthcare professionals involved in prescribing or administering drugs.
• Update the patient's medical records or inform their GP if there is any change in drug allergy status.
• Include drug allergy information in all relevant correspondence such as GP referral letters and hospital discharge letters.

Follow-up actions:

• Provide the patient (and their family members or carers as appropriate) with structured written information about their drug allergy, including the diagnosis, drug name, description of the reaction, investigations performed, drugs or drug classes to avoid, and any safe alternative drugs.
• Advise the patient to carry this information at all times and to share it whenever they visit healthcare professionals or are prescribed or administered any drugs.
• Advise patients to check with a pharmacist before taking any over-the-counter preparations.
• Refer patients to a specialist drug allergy service if they have had severe reactions such as anaphylaxis or severe non-immediate cutaneous reactions.
• Confirm the patient's drug allergy status with them before prescribing, dispensing, or administering any drug.