Authors: Tom Bannister / Codes: EC11, EC13, EC2, EC3, EP6, RC2, RP1, SLO1, SLO3 / Published: 01/05/2024
Scope / Reason for Development
This clinical guideline was developed in response to a request from NHSE/I National Patient Safety Team following a reported fatality from acute epiglottitis.
Summary of Recommendations
- adult supraglottitis / epiglottitis is a potentially fatal condition if not recognised and treated appropriately,
- recognition of the condition can be a problem,
- management in secondary care is sometimes problematic, including:
o issues with the best clinical environment to provide care,
o safe patient transfers,
o difficult airway management,
o delayed and omitted critical medication,
o access to functional diagnostic equipment,
o ENT were not always involved and
o Anaesthetics were not always involved.
Ensure that you read the full Suspected Nitrous Oxide Toxicity in the ED Guideline
Key Information
Linked RCEMLearning Content
- Acute sore throat – Learning Session
- Doc, I’m about to croak out! – Clinical Case
- Throat Pain – SBA
- Doctor, my throat is closing, I cannot swallow! – Clinical Case
- Something’s stuck in my throat! – Clinical Case
Acute Stridor
Children commonly present in the ED with stridor. Stridor is a sign of upper airway obstruction. An ED physician must be able to diagnose, initiate treatment, appropriately investigate, anticipate and manage complications.
Acute Sore Throat
This session covers the assessment, investigation and management of the patient who presents to the ED with a sore throat. It also covers the more serious conditions that can present in this way.
Cardiac Arrest in Special Circumstances: Anaphylaxis
Anaphylaxis is a severe, life-threatening, multi-organ hypersensitivity reaction, typically of rapid onset.
3 Comments
Great Learning
easy guideline to follow
Nice