The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) have published new or updated guidance for the month of August 2023. This month there are three clinical guidelines and one diagnostics guidance that impact upon primary care.
The Venous thromboembolic diseases: diagnosis, management and thrombophilia testing guideline has been updated. It covers diagnosing and managing venous thromboembolic diseases in adults. The update contains amended recommendations on the use of Wells score and D-dimer in the diagnostic pathways for pulmonary embolism and deep vein thrombosis, following a review of the evidence for people with COVID-19.
The Suspected cancer: recognition and referral guideline has been updated. It covers identifying children, young people and adults with symptoms that could be caused by cancer. The update relates to newly publish diagnostic guidance.
The Quantitative faecal immunochemical testing to guide colorectal cancer pathway referral in primary care diagnostics guidance has been published. It makes recommendations on quantitative faecal immunochemical testing to guide colorectal cancer pathway referral in primary care. This includes a list of patient and symptom characteristics to guide use of the test and subsequent referral.
The Otitis media with effusion in under 12s guideline has been published. It covers identifying and managing otitis media with effusion (OME), also known as 'glue ear', in children younger than 12 years. It aims to improve hearing and quality of life in children with OME.
Action: Clinicians should be aware of this month's new guidance and implement any necessary changes to practice.