First reported 11 Jul 2014•Latest report 29 Jan 2026
Definition
What this concern includes
Includes failures of controls specifically dedicated to safe propofol use, including national guidance, dose limits or principles, protocols, prescribing safeguards, clinician understanding and required monitoring for complications such as propofol infusion syndrome.
Not included
Excludes generic medication, sedation or intensive-care deficiencies not specifically tied to propofol safety.
Excludes failures concerning other medicines or sedatives unless the report explicitly identifies propofol as the shared safety concern.
Excludes isolated administration, monitoring or prescribing errors where no propofol-specific control deficiency is identified.
Excludes factual descriptions of propofol toxicity that do not identify an inadequate or unreliable safety control.
Reports
2
Distinct published reports
Individual concerns
9
A report can raise multiple concerns
Date range
2014–2026
First to latest report issue date
Stated actions
4
Described in published responses
Reports over time
Reports over time
Reports about this concern issued each year.
* 2026 is projected from reports observed to 7 Sep 2026.
Most frequent recipients
Most frequent recipients
Reports about this concern sent to each recipient.
Faculty of Intensive Care Medicine1
Frimley Health NHS Foundation Trust1
Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency1
National Institute for Health and Care Excellence1
NHS England1
Paediatric Critical Care Society1
Royal College of Anaesthetists1
Royal Surrey County Hospital1
The Intensive Care Society1
Charitable incorporated organisation1
Executive non-departmental public body1
Healthcare site1
Health professional body1
Medicines and medical devices regulator1
NHS trust1
Registered charity1
Concerns and responses across reports
Only concerns grouped under this recurring concern are included. Select any concern, action or position to view the source wording.
West Yorkshire Eastern
Concerns raised1
Lack of national guidance for propofol use for short-term sedation in children and young people on PICUs
Responses linked to these concerns
Each statement is shown once, even when linked to more than one concern.
Actions described in response An action is something a respondent says it has done, is doing, or plans to do in response to the concern raised.4
Action
Produce a joint specialist position statement on propofol use in paediatric critical care for publication on participating organisations’ websites.
Stated by Paediatric Critical Care SocietyStated in progressThe respondent said that this action was in progress when they made their response on 8 December 2025.
Action
Introduce a mandatory PCCS Quality Standards requirement for Level 3 units to maintain an agreed local guideline for propofol use.
Stated by Paediatric Critical Care SocietyStated plannedThe respondent said that this action was planned when they made their response on 8 December 2025.
Action
Add a requirement to the next PCCS standards that every paediatric intensive care unit have a local propofol-use guideline.
Stated by NHS EnglandStated plannedThe respondent said that this action was planned when they made their response on 8 December 2025.
Action
Support development and implementation of the position statement and standards actions so paediatric intensive care units establish safe propofol-use arrangements.
Stated by NHS EnglandStated plannedThe respondent said that this action was planned when they made their response on 8 December 2025.
Respondent positions A position is what a respondent says about the concern when they do not describe a specific action.4
Position
Developing national propofol guidance for paediatric intensive care is not within the appropriate organisational role.
Stated by National Institute for Health and Care ExcellenceOutside remitThe respondent said that this matter was outside its role or authority.
Position
NHS England or the Paediatric Critical Care Society should address propofol guidance and consider requiring local PICU protocols.
Stated by National Institute for Health and Care ExcellenceRedirects responsibilityThe respondent said that another organisation was responsible for deciding or taking action.
Position
Existing mandated local PICU protocols are considered sufficient because they can address patient selection, contraindications, prescribing and monitoring requirements.
Stated by NHS EnglandExisting arrangements considered sufficientThe respondent said that existing arrangements were sufficient, so no further action was needed.
Position
Individual PICU services are responsible for developing local propofol guidance under professional and commissioning standards.
Stated by NHS EnglandRedirects responsibilityThe respondent said that another organisation was responsible for deciding or taking action.
Surrey
Concerns raised8
Lack of national understanding and acceptance of safe propofol amounts
Failure to create and adhere to guidelines or protocols for propofol use
Lack of continual assessment for complications of propofol-related infusion syndrome
Lack of clarity about propofol infusion duration, volume and dose
Lack of a protocol for propofol use in ITU
Lack of medical supervision and control of propofol use in ITU
Lack of understanding that propofol-related infusion syndrome is a complication of prolonged propofol sedation
Lack of understanding of atypical adult presentation of propofol-related infusion syndrome
This report raised 11 other concerns. They are not shown here because they do not form part of this recurring concern.
Responses linked to these concerns
Each statement is shown once, even when linked to more than one concern.
No linked response statements
No respondent-stated action or position is linked to these concerns in the published data.
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Includes failures of controls specifically dedicated to safe propofol use, including national guidance, dose limits or principles, protocols, prescribing safeguards, clinician understanding and required monitoring for complications such as propofol infusion syndrome.
