06 December 2022
Back in 2020, a National Patient Safety Alert (NatPSA) was issued warning of the potential for adrenal crisis in steroid-dependent patients in the event of intercurrent illness. Specific guidance was given as to how to risk-stratify patients and what to do for each group. This may involve a change to clinical practice for some adult rheumatology departments.
This document provides guidance to BSR members on how they might implement the NatPSA/2020/005/NHSPS national patient safety in adult rheumatology services.
This guidance is for patients aged 16 years and over. The BSR aims to ensure guidance takes a life course approach, but on this issue, we have been unable to provide comprehensive paediatric and adolescent advice. We advise paediatric and adolescent rheumatology teams to discuss this with their local endocrine colleagues. The British Society for Paediatric Endocrinology and Diabetes has a range of guidelines available and a proposed template for children and young people who are adrenally insufficient.