Adult Acute Severe Sore Throat Management Guidelines for the Emergency Department Doctor

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

1. adult supraglottitis / epiglottitis is a potentially fatal condition if not recognised and treated appropriately,
2. recognition of the condition can be a problem,
3. 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