Shared decision-making: summary of NICE guidance

Melanoma: summary of NICE guidance.

Melanoma is the fifth most common cancer in the United Kingdom, with more than 13 000 cases diagnosed in 2011 and its incidence is rising rapidly. Clinical practice seems to vary in the UK, especially with regard to the use of dermoscopy and photography, access to sentinel lymph node biopsy, vitamin D measurement and advice, follow-up policies, and the use of routine follow-up imaging. Patient ...

Suspected sepsis: summary of NICE guidance.

The UK Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman inquiry “Time to Act” found failures in the recognition, diagnosis, and early management of those who died from sepsis, which triggered this guidance. In sepsis the body’s immune and coagulation systems are switched on by an infection and cause one or more body organs to malfunction with variable severity. The condition is life threatening. Alth...

Preterm labour: summary of NICE guidance.

Blood transfusion: summary of NICE guidance.

Although blood transfusion is common in clinical practice, it is associated with some risk. Alternatives to blood transfusion are also underused. Audits in the United Kingdom show that the inappropriate use of blood components is 20% or more. This puts patients at unnecessary risk of receiving the wrong blood and of complications such as circulatory overload and transfusion related acute lung i...

Rehabilitation after stroke: summary of NICE guidance.

Each year, about 150 000 people in the UK have a first or recurrent stroke. Despite UK health policies that place a great emphasis on reducing stroke (such as the National Stroke Strategy) and improvements in mortality and morbidity, guidance is needed on access to and provision of effective rehabilitation services to maximise quality of life after stroke. This article summarises the most recen...