Swine flu clinical package

Source: Department of Health

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Date of publication: October 2009

Publication type: Best Practice

In a nutshell: The swine flu clinical package is a set of tools for use by frontline healthcare professionals, in severe and exceptional circumstances, during a pandemic situation. The tools in the package are designed to support and empower GPs, community nurses, midwives, health visitors, ambulance crews, emergency department doctors, nurses and those working outside their usual specialty area (e.g. junior doctors or surgeons working in influenza cohort wards). The package will assist these health care professionals to assess patients, authorise antiviral medicines, refer those with severe illness or complications, and guide timely management of patients in hospital.

Length of publication: 15 pages

Some important notes: These tools and pathways are for use only when high surge demand leads to the need for strict hospital admission triage in affected areas. They should not be used when emergency departments and acute admissions units are working with their usual establishment of trained staff, and can operate their usual daily decision pathways, including providing hospital beds for every person fulfilling normal criteria for admission.

The tools are not intended for the assessment of patients routinely presenting for the diagnosis and treatment of uncomplicated influenza at an emergency department. These patients should be directed to use the National Pandemic Flu Service, or to contact a primary care surgery or clinic.

Prehospital care. Sepsis: a need for prehospital intervention

Source: Emergency Medicine Journal 2009; 26: 535-538.

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Date of publication: July 2009

Publication type: Journal Article

In a nutshell: Article aimed at pre hospital care managers, researchers and practitioners. The authors note the improving pre hospital care for patients with critical conditions (acute coronary syndrome, multiple trauma and stroke) and identify patients with sepsis as another group who would benefit from timely pre hospital care. They recommend the implementation of a screening tool and guidelines for pre hospital staff (The Joint Royal Colleges Ambulance Liaison Committee do not currently have guidelines for server sepsis) informed by more research. Greater awareness of sever sepsis is needed in training pre hospital practitioners. Interventions in the pre hospital setting for severe sepsis can significantly improve patient outcomes.

Length of publication: 3 pages

Some important notes: An NHS Athens password is required to access the full text of this article.  Please contact your local NHS library for further details – follow this link to find your local NHS Library

Ten things your emergency department should consider to prepare for pandemic influenza

Source: Emergency Medicine Journal 2009; 26:497-500

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Date of publication: July 2009

Publication type: Journal article

In a nutshell: Pandemic influenza remains a potential major threat to global public health. It is essential for emergency departments to be involved in planning for the management of such a major event. It is also important for emergency departments to be clear on their internal arrangements for staff and for patient care. This paper outlines 10 suggestions for UK emergency departments based on the recent experience of emergency departments in Hong Kong and elsewhere.

Length of publication: 4 pages

Some important notes: An NHS Athens password is required to access the full text of this article.  Please contact your local NHS library for further details – follow this link to find your local NHS Library

Emergency services review

Source: Department of Health

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Date of publication: June 2009

Publication type: Report

In a nutshell:  This review aims to provide support to local health communities to improve the effectiveness of emergency care and achieve national standards during times of high demand.  The review responds to dips in performance during the Winter of 2008/2009 and has three components: 1) Learning lessons: data analysis and developing practical advice for operational leaders to respond to increased demand – due Summer 2009; 2) Repackaging quality guidelines, toolkits and how-to guides into a coherent offering – due September 2009; 3) Practical support from a team of emergency care specialists to local health communities and organisations – starts June 2009

Length of publication: 2 Pages