06 April 2020
NICE has published a COVID-19 guideline on rheumatological autoimmune, inflammatory and metabolic bone disease, as part of their series of COVID-19 rapid guidelines with NHS England/Improvement. The society provided input into the draft of the guideline last week.
These rapid guidelines advise clinicians on how to modify patient care to reduce exposure to COVID-19 and balance the risks and benefits of treatment during the pandemic. The aim is to maximise patient safety, while making the best use of NHS resources throughout the pandemic. These guidelines have also been drafted with careful consideration to the safety and protection of NHS staff from infection.
While rheumatology units will have already begun to change how they deliver services, these guidelines are a significant departure from routine practice. Rheumatology units are being asked to minimise face-to-face contact by cutting non-essential in-person appointments, holding consultations by video/phone, and increasing time intervals between blood testing for drug monitoring.
The rapid guideline also provides advice on changes in medications for patients who are known or suspected to have COVID-19.
This guideline will continue to be reviewed by NICE on a weekly basis to ensure it reflects emerging new evidence, policy and practice.
Read guideline