Recommendations for NICE Guidance NG237
The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) have recently published an updated guideline (NG237) on the suspected acute respiratory infection in over 16s: assessment at first presentation and initial management. The updates to the guideline provide advice for the management of suspected acute respiratory infection (ARI).
On 22nd January 2024, IBMS Past President, Debra Padgett, held a roundtable discussion, inviting selected members with relevant expertise to explore how to overcome barriers involved in ARI management.
The roundtable event has led to the publication of a report that provides 5 key recommendations for NICE to improve their guidance for better management of ARIs.
The key recommendations for the NG237 guidance are:
- to include evidence for ARI and point-of-care testing (POCT) – such as real world experience and case studies;
- to outline laboratory involvement in pathway design;
- to assess the health economic impact;
- to provide clarity on deployment so that types of testing can be identified, as well as the related impact on results;
- to link to the existing POCT guidance document.
Led by Debra, the roundtable provided an opportunity for attendees to state their opinions on the updated guidance. Members discussed the extent to which the guidance is fit for purpose, what would need to change operationally to make it more impactful, what the impact is of home and virtual wards, and what more industry and the IBMS can do.
Debra Padgett said:
“Huge thanks to all those involved in this Roundtable event and to ABHI for their ongoing support. The panel explored how to better deploy POCT provision to overcome barriers and build on the opportunities for greater access to diagnostic information to help inform the management of ARIs, either in-person or remotely for the benefit of our patients.”