25 March 2009

NICE

Barrett's oesophagus - ablative therapy: scope consultation (13th March 2009)
NICE have been asked to develop a clinical practice guideline on Barrett's oesophagus – ablative therapy for use in the NHS in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. The draft scope defines what aspects of care the guideline will cover and to whom it will apply. Registered stakeholders for this guideline are invited to submit comments on the scope and may suggest clinical questions that could be answered in the guideline. Closing date for comments is 9th April 2009.
Consultation

Core interventions in the treatment and management of schizophrenia in primary and secondary care - Clinical Guideline CG82 (25th March 2009)
This clinical guideline updates and replaces:
  • Schizophrenia: core interventions in the treatment and management of schizophrenia in primary and secondary care. NICE clinical guideline 1 (2002)
  • Guidance on the use of newer (atypical) antipsychotic drugs for the treatment of schizophrenia. NICE technology appraisal guidance 43 (2002)
Clinical Guideline

Rehabilitation after critical illness - Clinical Guideline CG83 (25th March 2009)
The advice in the NICE guideline covers the care of:
  • adults who, as a result of critical illness, have stayed in critical care and need rehabilitation.
It does not specifically look at the care of:
  • adults who are having treatment for symptoms and pain in the final stages of a terminal illness
  • adults whose rehabilitation needs are already routinely assessed and delivered as part of their care, for example, patients who have brief stays in critical care units for immediate postoperative care after major elective surgery, and patients with conditions for which published guidelines already exist – such as head injury, heart attack and stroke.
Clinical Guideline

Sunitinib for the first-line treatment of advanced and/or metastatic renal cell carcinoma - Technology Appraisal TA169 (25th March 2009)
Sunitinib is recommended as a possible first drug treatment for people with advanced and/or metastatic renal cell carcinoma if:
  • immunotherapy (for example, interferon alfa) would be suitable for them and
  • they are mobile and can do light housework or office work.
When assessing people with disabilities, healthcare professionals should bear in mind that a person’s disability might also affect their level of physical activity. They should make adjustments for this.
Technology Appraisal

Guidance for primary care and employers on the management of long term sickness and incapacity - Public Health Guidance PH19 (25th March 2009)
This guidance is for all those who manage long-term (or recurring short- or long-term) sickness absence and incapacity, including employers and people working in the NHS. It will also be of interest to workplace representatives and trades unions, employees and those receiving incapacity benefit or employment and support allowance (ESA).
Public Health Guidance

Deep dermal injection of non-absorbable gel polymer for HIV-related facial lipoatrophy - Interventional Procedure Guidance IPG291 (25th March 2009)
Facial lipoatrophy (facial wasting) is a loss of fat underneath the skin, often on the face. It can occur as a side effect of antiretroviral drug treatment for HIV. Gel polymers are water-based, man-made substances that are injected under the skin to re-contour the depleted areas.
Interventional Procedure Guidance

Endoscopic radiofrequency ablation for gastro-oesophageal reflux disease - Interventional Procedure Guidance IPG292 (25th March 2009)
In patients with gastro-oesophageal reflux disease, the acidic contents of the stomach are able to travel backwards into the gullet, causing a burning sensation or pain (heartburn). This endoscopic procedure uses electrically-generated heat to form a scar (radiofrequency ablation) in the lower end of the gullet with the aim of making it narrower, reducing the ability of the stomach contents to travel backwards (reflux).
Interventional Procedure Guidance

Implantation of an opaque intraocular lens for intractable double vision - Interventional Procedure Guidance IPG293 (25th March 2009)
Double vision (also known as diplopia) is seeing two images of a single object instead of one. In this procedure, the clear lens of one eye is removed and replaced with a non-transparent (opaque) lens. The aim is to block out one of the double images.
Interventional Procedure Guidance

Percutaneous (non-thoracoscopic) epicardial catheter radiofrequency ablation for atrial fibrillation - Interventional Procedure Guidance IPG294 (25th March 2009)
Atrial fibrillation is a condition that affects the heart, causing an irregular heartbeat. It increases the risk of blood clots in the heart and stroke. Electrical impulses (originating from the atria, the small chambers of the heart) control the heartbeat. In atrial fibrillation these impulses become disorganised, so that the heart beats irregularly and too quickly. When this happens, the heart cannot efficiently pump blood around the body. This may cause symptoms such as palpitations, chest pain, shortness of breath, dizziness and fainting. In percutaneous (non-thoracoscopic) epicardial catheter radiofrequency ablation, selected areas of the heart are destroyed using heat, with the aim of preventing the abnormal electrical impulses responsible for atrial fibrillation. The procedure is carried out through a special catheter which is inserted into the lower chest area and guided to the outer part of the heart.
Interventional Procedure Guidance

Percutaneous (non-thoracoscopic) epicardial catheter radiofrequency ablation for ventricular tachycardia - Interventional Procedure Guidance IPG295 (25th March 2009)
Ventricular tachycardia is a condition that affects the heart, causing an irregular pulse. It occurs when the electrical impulses controlling the heartbeat become disorganised, so that the heart beats too fast. When this happens, the heart cannot efficiently pump blood around the body. This may cause symptoms such as palpitations, chest pain or discomfort, shortness of breath, dizziness and fainting. Ventricular tachycardia increases the risk of cardiac arrest (when the heart stops beating). In percutaneous (non-thoracoscopic) epicardial catheter radiofrequency ablation selected areas of the heart are destroyed using heat, with the aim of preventing the occurrence or conduction of abnormal electrical activity. The procedure is done through a special catheter which is inserted into the lower chest area and guided to the outside of the heart.
Interventional Procedure Guidance

Photodynamic therapy for brain tumours - Interventional Procedure Guidance IPG290 (25th March 2009)
Brain tumours may arise from brain tissue or spread from cancers in other parts of the body. Treatment usually consists of an operation to establish the nature of the tumour and, when possible, remove as much of it as seems safe. Photodynamic therapy (often abbreviated to PDT) has been developed as additional therapy (to enhance the effect of surgery) or as a treatment for tumours that are inoperable. Itinvolves giving the patient a drug that makes the tissue sensitive to light. A laser light source is used during the operation and in some cases for a few days afterwards to activate the light‑sensitive substance with the aim of destroying the tumour cells.
Interventional Procedure Guidance

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