Medics Information for clinicians Information for Healthcare Professionals Our charity has developed a range of clinical guidance publications in collaboration with our Clinical Advisory Panel (CAP) to inform and advise healthcare professionals. Read on to find out more. COVID-19 Guidance for Clinicians About Adrenal Insufficiency For a bite size look at adrenal insufficiency, watch CoMIC's brilliant video infographic explaining everything adrenal insufficiency, from aetiology, sign and symptoms, investigations, management, adrenal crisis and the vital patient training in sick day rules, administering the emergency injection and carrying the NHS steroid card. The content of CoMICs video was critically reviewed by Dr Alessandro Prete, University of Birmingham; Professor Wiebke Arlt, University of Birmingham; Dr Helen Simpson, UCLH and ADSHG Medical Trustee; Professor Stefanie Hahner, University of Würzburg, Germany. Thank you to Dr Punith Kempegowda from Simulation via Instant Messaging – Birmingham Advance (SIMBA) for their permission to share this fantastic resource. Read our 10 steps to marvellous care for patients with Adrenal Insufficiency. Out & About NHS Steroid Emergency Card & ADSHG Emergency Wallet Card - alongside Medic Alert bracelets/necklaces. NHS Steroid Emergency Card: developed by the Society for Endocrinology (SfE), Royal College of Physicians (RCP) and NHS England and NHS Improvement (NHSE&I), the card should be issued to all patients at risk of adrenal crisis. The QR code printed on the card takes you straight to the Society for Endocrinology Adrenal Crisis page. Alongside the card, new medical guidance on the prevention and emergency management of adrenal insufficiency was released and a National Patient Safety Alert. National Patient Safety Alert Guidance for the prevention and emergency management of adult patients with adrenal insufficiency. Society for Endocrinology Adrenal Crisis page ADSHG Adrenal Crisis Emergency Wallet Card: the emergency wallet card contains advice authored by the ADSHG Clinical Advisory Panel, on the treatment required to prevent an adrenal crisis in the event of serious injury or illness. It is available in printed form and is sent free to every member when they join the charity as a postal member. Additional cards can be bought in our shop. Adrenal Crisis Care Letter This simple adrenal crisis protocol gives emergency medical treatment guidance for paramedics or hospital staff in the event of a person with Addison's suffering an adrenal crisis. This letter should be signed by your doctor. This document is also available in eight foreign languages for those who live or travel abroad. Emergency Injection Kit Every patient should be issued with a prescription for hydrocortisone IM for emergency use as required for a hydrocortisone emergency injection kit and advised of training for patients and carers/families on their use. Some Endocrinology centres provide the kit as a whole (box including the syringes and needles alongside the prescription) others ask the patients to provide their own storage solution. We provide options in our shop, advice on our blog post and training videos online. Primary Care (GPs, Practice Nurses, Pharmacists Dentists) Reducing risk of acute adrenal crisis How to avoid precipitating an acute adrenal crisis (Article by Professor Wass) Diagnosing Addison's : A Guide For GPs This leaflet, 'Diagnosing Addison's: a guide for GPs', has been developed for the ADSHG by our Clinical Advisory Panel, led by Professor John Wass. It outlines the role of the GP in the early detection of Addison's disease and covers information on symptoms and clinical signs, primary care investigations and referral. Caring for The Addison's Patient : Information For GPs This leaflet, 'Caring for the patient with Addison's: information for GPs', has been developed for the ADSHG by our Clinical Advisory Panel, led by Professor John Wass. It outlines the role of the GP in managing Addison’s disease at each stage in the UK patient life cycle from diagnosis to old age. Paramedic Training Pack Published in 2019, with contributions from the Addison's Clinical Advisory Panel and South East Coast Ambulance Trust, this presentation summarises the latest paramedic best practices and the JRCalc (2017) guidelines. It includes patient testimony and case studies and is suitable for use in a teaching setting. It was produced for paramedics & first responders who want to gain a better understanding of Addison's Disease and emergency management protocols. To receive a copy, please contact us. Dental care Addison's Disease: Advice for Dentists Endocrinologists and Endocrine Nurses Read our 10 steps to marvellous care for patients with Adrenal Insufficiency. In 2020, a National Patient Safety Alert was issued along with refreshed Guidance for the prevention and emergency management of adult patients with adrenal insufficiency. A new NHS Steroid Emergency Card has also launched and is designed to replace the blue cards issued previously. Healthcare providers have until May 2021 to ensure all their steroid dependant patients with Adrenal Insufficiency have this new card. Tertiary Care Surgical Guidelines The ADSHG surgical guidelines are intended for the information of medics and healthcare professionals (including dentists) and have been developed for the ADSHG by our Clinical Advisory Panel. They explain what level of extra medication and monitoring patients with Addison's disease will need in the event of most types of minor or major surgery or dental work. Nursing The Addison's Patient : Notes for Nurses 'Nursing the Addison's patient: notes for nurses' was written with hospital ward nursing staff in mind, for those times when anyone with Addison's becomes an inpatient. This might be for elective surgery or during the recovery from an adrenal crisis.