Transition to NRFit devices ‘progressing’ – HSE

The transition to NRFit devices in the health service is expected to be completed before the end of 2027, according to the HSE. A spokesperson told the Medical Independent that no supply issues have been reported to date.

A National Patient Safety Alert (NPSA) was issued to hospitals last November requesting transition to NRFit. According to the HSE, several hospitals had begun this change prior to the alert and many others are actively progressing. “We will continue engaging with services to monitor progress and provide support.”

A webinar is planned for March in collaboration with the College of Anaesthesiologists to assist with implementation.

NRFit (ISO 80369-6) is the international connector standard “specifically designed to prevent wrong-route medication incidents during intrathecal, epidural, and regional anaesthesia procedures”, according to the HSE. Unlike Luer connectors, NRFit connectors are “safety-engineered and intentionally incompatible” with IV and enteral systems, eliminating the risk of accidental misconnections.

 “The ISO 80369 series was specifically designed to prevent dangerous wrong-route connections by making connectors for different organ systems intentionally incompatible. NRFit connectors eliminate the possibility of misconnecting neuraxial devices with intravenous or enteral systems – an error that could otherwise prove fatal.”

The HSE alert, dated 26 November 2025, provided advice on managing the transition within relevant services. The transition should be completed within two years of the alert.

According to the NPSA, the major suppliers of neuraxial and regional block medical device consumables had confirmed they could supply the full range of NRFit-compatible consumables to all HSE hospitals.

All major manufacturers were producing enough NRFit products to meet current demand. However, it was “critical” transitioning hospitals accurately forecast their NRFit requirements well in advance of switchover, as it is not possible to use/connect any Luer products with any NRFit products.

The NPSA noted that some hospitals operated a lean stockholding policy. It recommended that while transitioning to NRFit “they should hold a sufficient buffer stock of the full suite of NRFit products to meet their requirements and to protect against any delays in the supply chain”.