Total spinal block after local anesthetic administration through the wrong access port of a spinal infusion pump.

We present a case reported on the SENSAR database. A patient with a spinal infusion pump was admitted for reservoir refill. On administration of 22ml of 0.75% bupivacaine the patient suffered a total spinal block with widespread loss strength and respiratory arrest. The patient required emergency orotracheal intubation, mechanical ventilation and admission to ICU, where extubation was achieved within two hours without incidences. At a later stage it was stated that the local anaesthetic had been administered via the access port for bolus or contrast administration instead of via the access to the reservoir. Analysis of the incident showed up latent factors related to absence lack of personnel training and internal protocols. The following measures were taken: pain unit meeting, alert sent to SENSAR bulletin and training request for members of the service.