The National Institute of Health and Clinical Excellence has published new guidance for the month of March 2010.
This month there are three clinical guidelines that have an impact on primary care. Two guidelines cover assessment and diagnosis of recent onset chest pain or discomfort of suspected cardiac origin (QRG) and early management of unstable angina and non-ST-segment-elevation myocardial infarction (QRG). These guidelines will provide useful information for primary care clinicians.
There is also a guideline for the pharmacological management of neuropathic pain in adults in non-specialist settings (QRG). This guideline replaces previous recommendations for the management of painful diabetic neuropathy and also extends the guidance to cover non-diabetic conditions such as post-herpetic neuralgia and trigeminal neuralgia. The guidance details treatment options and referral to specialist services.
Action: Clinicians should be aware of these guidelines. They will be a useful resource for clinicians who see patients following episodes of cardiac chest pain or with neuropathic pain.