Guidelines
45 entriesNDOH Standard Treatment Guidelines and clinical protocols
- Laboratory DiagnosisLaboratory Diagnosis Laboratory testing of uncomplicated illness (patients who fit the ILI case definition) is NOT routinely recommended, as it provides no advantage in the management of individual patients. Testing can be considered for the following patients: Patients who meet the criteria for complicated or severe influenza, where a laboratory diagnosis will assist in patient management.Other→
- Laboratory TestsCommon investigations Costs of blood tests Use of the blood gas machine in NICU Common investigations When filling in lab request forms - please use the name and MP number of the consultant in the unit at the time. Day 1: All sick babies need an FBC ( no differential count ) and blood culture Blood cultures should contain at least 1 ml of blood and must be done as a sterile procedure Day 2-3: U&aOther→
- Labour InductionStandard Treatment Guidelines and Essential Medicines List for South Africa, Hospital Level, Adults, Updated for the 2023 EditionEML (Adult)→
- Labour Pain, SevereStandard Treatment Guidelines and Essential Medicines List for South Africa, Hospital Level, Adults, Updated for the 2023 EditionEML (Adult)→
- Labour and DeliveryTesting for HIV Antiretrovirals VL Monitoring and Management Screening for TB and other OI's Other Care for the Mother living with HIV at delivery Care of the HIV-exposed Infant at Delivery Prevention of transmission of Syphilis, HBV and other infections Testing for HIV PICT should be provided to all women presenting in labour ward who are not known to be HIV-positive (including born-beforOther→
- Labour and Delivery in Hypertensive DisordersThe guidelines recommend management of common obstetric conditions at primary and referral level, based on local experience and evidence-based practice. They are not intended as strict protocols nor as standard operating procedures, but rather as a guide to safe effective management of common obstetric problems. The guidelines should be most useful to interns, medical officers and registrars.Other→
- Lactation & Lactation SuppressionThe guidelines recommend management of common obstetric conditions at primary and referral level, based on local experience and evidence-based practice. They are not intended as strict protocols nor as standard operating procedures, but rather as a guide to safe effective management of common obstetric problems. The guidelines should be most useful to interns, medical officers and registrars.Other→
- LaparoscopyThis booklet is intended as a practical guide to patient care for registrars, medical officers, interns and medical students attached to the gynaecology units at the University of the Witwatersrand Academic Hospitals. Anyone can use it.Other→
- Laparotomy for Ectopic PregnancyThis booklet is intended as a practical guide to patient care for registrars, medical officers, interns and medical students attached to the gynaecology units at the University of the Witwatersrand Academic Hospitals. Anyone can use it.Other→
- Laryngotracheobronchitis, Acute Viral (Croup)Description Diagnostic criteria General and supportive measures Medicine treatment Referral ICD-10 code: J05.0 DESCRIPTION Potentially life-threatening airway obstruction in children and one of the most common causes of stridor in children aged between 6 months and 2 years. The most important viruses causing laryngotracheobronchitis (LTB) include: para-influenza virus (most common), measlesPEML (Paeds)→
- Leg Ulcers, ComplicatedStandard Treatment Guidelines and Essential Medicines List for South Africa, Hospital Level, Adults 2019 EditionEML (Adult)→
- Legal Aspects of Blood TransfusionSANBS Clinical Guideline, 6th Edition, 2023Other→
- Legal and Ethical Aspects of TransfusionSANBS Guideline - Updated August 2023Other→
- Leucocyte Depletion and Irradiation of Blood ComponentsSANBS Clinical Guideline, 6th Edition, 2023Other→
- LeukocoriaDescription Diagnostic criteria Referral ICD-10 code: H44.53 DESCRIPTION Common causes of leukocoria (white pupil) include: retinoblastoma, cataract, persistent foetal vasculature, and end-stage ROP. DIAGNOSTIC CRITERIA A white appearance of the pupil instead of the usual black colour. An absent or diminished red-reflex of the fundus of the eye when examined with a direct ophthalmoscope orPEML (Paeds)→
- Level 2 & 1 Guideline RestrictionsSADA COVID-19 Guidelines, May 2020Other→
- Level 3 Guidelines & RestrictionsSADA COVID-19 Guidelines, May 2020Other→
- Level 4 Guidelines & RestrictionsSADA COVID-19 Guidelines, May 2020Other→
- Level 5 Guidelines & RestrictionsSADA COVID-19 Guidelines, May 2020Other→
- Levonorgestrel Intra-uterine Device (LNG-IUD) (Contraception, Hormonal)Referral Z30.0/Z30.5/Z30.8 Dual protection with barrier methods is recommended to reduce the risk of STIs including HIV. The LNG-IUD is an effective, safe, reversible, long-term contraceptive method that has minimal hormonal adverse effects and is not prone to drug interactions. It does not require daily adherence or frequent follow up. Progestin-only intrauterine device, e.g.: Levonorgestrel, inPrimary Care→
- Lice (Pediculosis)Parasitic Infestations of the SkinPrimary Care→
- Limb Threatening Arterial Occlusion/ThrombusLimb Threatening Arterial Occlusion/ThrombusOther→
- ListeriosisDescription General measures Medicine treatment Referral A32.0-1/A32.7-9 Note: If you have any questions or concerns, visit http://www.nicd.ac.za/ or call the NCID hotline on 082 883 9920 DESCRIPTION Listeriosis is a preventable and treatable bacterial disease spread through food. Most listerial infections are sporadic but outbreaks do occur. Pregnancy is a predisposing factor for devPrimary Care→
- Live vaccinesLive VaccinesOther→
- Liver Abscess, AmoebicDescription General measures Medicine treatment ICD-10 code: A06.4 DESCRIPTION Focal hepatic infection due to E. histolytica . Only about a third of cases have concomitant amoebic colitis. Diagnosis can be excluded if the serological test is negative. It is essential to exclude pyogenic infection (a diagnostic aspirate should be taken under ultrasound guidance in all cases where there is doEML (Adult)→
- Liver Abscess, PyogenicDescription General measures Medicine treatment ICD-10 code: K75.0 DESCRIPTION Focal bacterial infection, usually polymicrobial, of the liver with pus. Multiple abscesses are not uncommon. GENERAL MEASURES Drainage is essential in all cases. This should preferably be done percutaneously by inserting a catheter under ultrasound guidance. MEDICINE TREATMENT Empiric antibiotic therapy AmoxicilEML (Adult)→
- Liver Failure, AcuteDescription General Measures Medicine Treatment Referral ICD-10 code: K72.0/K72.9 DESCRIPTION Acute liver failure refers to the development of severe acute liver injury with encephalopathy and impaired synthetic function (INR of ≥1.5) in a patient without cirrhosis or pre-existing liver disease. There are many causes, but the commonest are viral hepatitis, alcohol, drug-induced liver injuryEML (Adult)→
- Liver Failure, AcuteDescription Diagnostic criteria General and supportive measures Medicine treatment Referral ICD-10 code: K72.0 DESCRIPTION Acute liver failure is a devastating clinical syndrome which has a high mortality. It results from massive necrosis of liver cells leading to the development of hepatic encephalopathy. The clinical appearance can be deceptive and it is easy to underestimate how criticalPEML (Paeds)→
- Local Infections & Diarrhoea (Birth up to 2 months)IMCI - Young Infant (Birth up to 2 months)IMCI→
- Local and Regional AnaesthesiaDescription Medicine treatment DESCRIPTION Local anaesthesia is accomplished by either local infiltration of soft tissue or the instillation of local anaesthetic into potential or existing body spaces such as the epidural space, sub-arachnoid spinal spaces or around major nerves or plexuses. Appropriate care is always used to limit overdose and avoid toxicity. Use appropriate agents, avoid adrenaPEML (Paeds)→
- Locally and Regionally Administered Analgesic DrugsDrugs used for local & regional analgesia Regional local analgesic techniques Safety considerations for regional and local analgesic techniques Bibliography Drugs used for local and regional analgesia Local anaesthetics LAs exert analgesic effects by blocking sodium channels, impeding neuronal excitation and conducting impulses. LA consist of a hydrophilic amine and a lipophilic aromatic ringOther→
- Lookback ProgrammeSANBS Guideline - Updated August 2023Other→
- Loss of VisionDescription Referral ICD-10 code: H53.1 DESCRIPTION Causes of sudden loss of vision in an outwardly normal eye include: retinal detachment, occlusion of the retinal artery or retinal vein(s), vitreous haemorrhage, optic and retrobulbar neuritis, and choroiditis. Causes of gradual loss of vision in an outwardly normal eye include: refractive errors, cataracts, retinopathies, malignancies, anPEML (Paeds)→
- Lower Abdominal Pain (LAP)Sexual Transmitted InfectionsPrimary Care→
- Lower Gastrointestinal BleedingSurgical Emergencies - Lower Gastrointestinal BleedingOther→
- Lower Respiratory Tract InfectionThis guideline aims to assist healthcare workers with antibiotic prescribing for common clinical syndromes in adult patients in South Africa, utilizing Local and International guidelines, key publications, and expert opinion.Other→
- Ludwig’s AnginaInfection Ludwig’s angina Brief outline/clinical setting Severe cellulitis involving the floor of the mouth, that can lead to airway compromise. Most prevalent cause of Ludwig's angina is odontogenic,[9] accounting for approximately 75% to 90% of cases. Infections of the lower second and third molars are usually implicated due to their roots extending inferiorly below the mylohyoid muscle. PeriapOther→
- Lumbar PunctureLumbar PuncturePEML (Paeds)→
- Lumbar Puncture (LP)Management guidelines for students, interns and registrars on a variety of routine and emergency situations in our neonatal service at Tygerberg Children’s Hospital. Published in 2014.Other→
- Lumbosacral Root PainThis booklet is intended as a practical guide to patient care for registrars, medical officers, interns and medical students attached to the gynaecology units at the University of the Witwatersrand Academic Hospitals. Anyone can use it.Other→
- Lung AbscessDescription Diagnostic criteria General and supportive measures Medicine treatment Surgical treatment Referral ICD-10 code: J85 DESCRIPTION A suppurative process that results from destruction of the pulmonary parenchyma and formation of a cavity. The cavity may be single, e.g. after aspiration or multiple, e.g. staphylococcal disease and cystic fibrosis. Lung abscess may follow pneumonia caPEML (Paeds)→
- Lung AbscessInfection Lung Abscess Brief outline/clinical setting Necrosis of the lung parenchyma with cavitation Risks: Alcoholics, epileptics, chronic neurological conditions who are at risk for aspiration Aetiologies/organisms Klebsiella Pneumonia, enteric gram negatives, Staphylococcal aureus, and Streptococcus anginosis, anaerobes Optimal antimicrobial selection Amoxicillin- clavulanate 1.2g IVI 8hrly DOther→
- Lung AbscessStandard Treatment Guidelines and Essential Medicines List for South Africa, Hospital Level, Adults 2019 EditionEML (Adult)→
- LymphadenopathyLymphadenopathyOther→
- LymphoedemaAn approach to symptom management to guide decision-making in the management of patients with life-threatening illnessOther→