An overview of initial NICE clinical guidance about Covid-19

Abstract

Covid-19 causes a range of mainly respiratory symptoms; its routes of transmission are thought to be via contact, respiratory droplets and airborne transmission. In response to the current pandemic, the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence has produced three initial clinical guidelines with the purpose of maximising patients’ safety while also protecting staff from infection. The guidelines cover the management of patients in critical care, patients who are having kidney dialysis and patients who are receiving systemic anticancer treatments. They provide guidance on admitting patients to these services, ascertaining their Covid-19 status, treatment, clinical decision making and communication. As the situation is changing rapidly, the guidelines will continue to be updated as the knowledge base develops.

In this article…

• Symptoms, transmission routes and infection control precautions of Covid-19

• Summary of new guidance on critical care, dialysis and cancer treatment

• How the guidance maximises patients’ safety and protects staff

Key points

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Covid-19 causes respiratory symptoms and is transmitted via contact, droplet and airborne routes

NICE has produced initial guidance to maximise patient safety and protect staff during the pandemic

Patients in critical care or receiving dialysis or cancer treatment should be screened for Covid-19

Patients should be reviewed regularly and those with Covid-19 symptoms seen separately from other patients

Treatment decisions should be made on an individual basis and clearly communicated to patients