Royal College of Physicians, 'Prolonged disorders of consciousness following sudden onset brain injury: National clinical guidelines' (2020)
PDOC guidance "These guidelines update the previous RCP’s Prolonged disorders of consciousness, National clinical guidelines (2013) particularly in relation to recent developments in assessment and management: and with respect to recent changes in the law governing procedures for the withdrawal of clinically assisted nutrition and hydration. They lay out for clinicians, service providers and commissioners what constitutes best practice within the existing legal framework, to enable them to fulfil their various responsibilities to the patient and their family."
Date
PDF of guidance created 5/3/20. RCP website page states 23/4/20.
Annexes
Various annexes are available on the RCP website:
- Annex 1A Assessing For Emergence From MCS
- Annex 2A Full Formal Clinical Assessment Of People In PDOC
- Annex 2B Minimum Requirements For PDOC Assessors
- Annex 2C Optimising Conditions For Response
- Annex 2D A Comparison Of The WHIM, CRS R And SMART Tools
- Annex 2E Checklist Of Features For Families And Care Staff
- Annex 2F Formal Evaluation And Record Of Diagnosis Of VS Or MCS
- Annex 3A Clinical Management Of PDOC Patients An Overview
- Annex 3B The Role Of Team Members
- Annex 3C Physical Management Of People With Disordered Consciousness
- Annex 3D Tracheostomy Management In Patients With PDOC
- Annex 4A Best Interests Checklist For Patients With PDOC
- Annex 4B The Role Of Family And Friends
- Annex 5A Template For A Treatment Escalation Plan
See also