and a normal one
Betty Pace
The UK’s National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) has published a new quality standard to improve care for patients with acute painful episodes resulting from sickle cell disease (SCD).
NICE quality standards include statements that describe high-priority areas for improvement in a defined care or service area.
The current standard builds upon the 2012 NICE clinical guideline for the management of acute painful sickle cell episodes.
The standard states that SCD patients who present at the hospital with a pain episode should have a thorough assessment and receive appropriate pain relief within 30 minutes.
They should then be assessed regularly until satisfactory pain relief has been achieved, with careful monitoring of adverse events in those who are taking strong opioids.
Patients should be assessed for symptoms of acute chest syndrome, such as chest pain, fever, and abnormal respiratory signs.
Healthcare professionals must have access to locally agreed protocols on treatment and management, as well as support from specialist centers.
Healthcare professionals should also provide SCD patients with clear written information to encourage involvement in their continuing care.
“We know that the management of this condition is variable across the country, and there is a need to address patient concerns, such as unacceptable delays in receiving pain relief,” said Gillian Leng, Deputy Chief Executive and Director of Health and Social Care at NICE.
“This new standard will drive up the quality of care people with sickle cell receive, so that they can be confident they will be comfortable during their stay in hospital.”
NICE quality standards are not requirements or targets, but the health and social care system is obliged to consider them in planning and delivering services.
