If a lumbar puncture is being undertaken to administer medication (e.g. for intrathecal chemotherapy administration), the practitioner performing the procedure must comply with the national guidance (DH [45]). Organizations must ensure that only appropriately trained staff are conducting lumbar punctures.

In order to minimize risk to patients, the equipment used in the procedure was modified by the manufacturers to reduce the risk of incorrect drug administration and/or technique (DH [47], NPSA [171]). Wrong route administration of intravenous or other chemotherapy into the intrathecal space is a Department of Health ‘Never Event’ and is therefore considered unacceptable and eminently preventable (DH [47]). All needles, syringes and connectors utilized in intrathecal (spinal) boluses or lumbar puncture samples must not be able to connect to any other intravenous device. This must also include any epidural, spinal and regional anaesthesia boluses or infusions (NPSA [171]).