Guidelines
3,191 entriesNDOH Standard Treatment Guidelines and clinical protocols
- Introduction - ObstetricsStandard Treatment Guidelines and Essential Medicines List for South Africa, Hospital Level, Adults, Updated for the 2023 EditionEML (Adult)→
- Introduction / ForewordSANBS Clinical Guideline, 6th Edition, 2023Other→
- Introduction and Principles of Critical CareIntroduction Critical care is the discipline that entails specialised medical and nursing care for patients who have, are at risk of, or are recovering from serious, lifethreatening injuries and illnesses. Critical care involves constant, intensive monitoring and comprehensive care including multiple modalities of vital physiologic organ support to sustain life during a period of life-threateningEML (Adult)→
- Introduction and RationaleBackground TB Preventive Treatment (TPT) Tests of TB infection: Tuberculin Skin Tests (TST) and Interferon-Gamma Release Assays (IGRA) Background South Africa, with 13 other countries, carries the major triple burden of drug-susceptible TB (DS-TB), multidrug-resistant TB (MDR-TB) and TB co-infected with HIV (TB/HIV), and is among the top 30 high TB burden countries identified by the World HealthOther→
- Introduction to Axial Spondyloarthritis (axSpA)Early diagnosis and prompt treatment initiation are essential in the management of axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA), also known as ankylosing spondylitis, remembering that underdiagnosis and overdiagnosis of axSpA are common. These South African guidelines offer screening tools and details of useful investigations, including imaging. Care of the axSpA patient requires a multidisciplinary holisticOther→
- Introduction to ContraceptionContraceptive methods Effectiveness of family planning methods For comprehensive guidance, consult the most recent National Contraception Clinical Guidelines (especially for women with medical conditions), the National Clinical Guidelines for Safe Conception and Infertility, as well as the WHO Medical eligibility criteria for contraceptive use and the WHO family planning handbook for providers. LPrimary Care→
- Introduction to Spondyloarthritis (SpA) and Associated ConditionsPeripheral spondyloarthritis (SpA) includes psoriatic arthritis (PsA), inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)-associated arthritis, reactive arthritis and undifferentiated peripheral SpA. These South African guidelines offer information on diagnosis, assessment and therapy of peripheral SpA. Emphasis is placed on a multidisciplinary team, and a treat-to-target strategy with escalation of therapy iOther→
- Introduction, Assessment & AnalgesiaThis 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→
- Introduction, Guideline Purpose & Emergency Protocol LevelsPreamble Purpose, Guidelines and Standards Emergency Protocol Level Introduction General Implications of the Pandemic on Public Health and Dentistry Clinical Implications of a Return to Routine Dentistry Community-based Dentistry Activity In Closing Preamble These guidelines were in effect during the Covid-19 pandemic in line with FDI, WHO, and RSA Government guidelines. As of 5 May 2023, the WHOOther→
- Introduction, Important History and ExaminationIntroduction Important details on history Important details on examination SETTING Primary and Secondary Healthcare Institutions in the Western Cape which refer to Red Cross War Memorial Children’s Hospital (RCWMCH) FOR STAFF Primary and Secondary Doctors and Nurses who refer patients to RCWMCH PATIENTS Patients under the age of 13 years old with skin and soft tissue infections Introduction SkinOther→
- Introduction, Objectives & MethodsThis guideline is endorsed by the following professional groups: Cape Pelvic Pain Society, PainSA, South African Rheumatism and Arthritis Association, and South African Society of Anaesthesiologists.Other→
- Introduction: Empiric antibiotic choices at CHBAHThe current recommended empiric antibiotic choices and empiric durations for suspected bacterial infections at CHBAH, based on consensus agreement between Infectious Diseases (ID), Microbiology and specialties after review of our 2018 antibiogram data, is as follows until directed therapy is possible.Other→
- Introduction: Perioperative Patient Blood ManagementAnaesthesiologists regularly request and administer blood components to their patients, a potentially life-saving intervention. All anaesthesiologists must be familiar with the indications and appropriate use of blood and blood components and their alternatives, but close liaison with haematologists and their local haematology blood sciences laboratory is encouraged. In the last decade, there havOther→
- Introduction: Transfusion MedicineTransfusion medicine is changing rapidly in response to new developments. Considerable changes in approaches to transfusion, together with the use of alternative agents, have become apparent over the past decade. Blood transfusion can be lifesaving, but this is a scarce and costly resource. There is increased focus on appropriate transfusion practice to ensure quality of service provision, and trOther→
- Intubation and Ventilation GuidelinesPaedaitrics - Intubation and Ventilation GuidelinesOther→
- Intubation and Ventilation of the NewbornIntubation and Ventilation of the NewbornOther→
- Invasive Techniques for Cancer PainGeneral principles and management of cancer pain in adultsOther→
- Investigations to Exclude a GMC in Behaviorally Disturbed PatientsAlgorithm Guiding Investigations to Exclude a GMC in Behaviorally Disturbed PatientsOther→
- Involving Fathers in Antenatal and Postpartum Care Information for the Health Care Provider Information for the Father INFORMATION FOR THE HEALTH CARE PROVIDER Background: Why Should Fathers be Actively Engaged? Research shows benefits to the mother, baby, and father if male partners are involved during pregnancy and breastfeeding. ANC and PNC services should be family orientated and should welcome fathers to actively participate in clinicOther→
- Iron (Age 2 months up to 5 years)IMCI - Child (Age 2 months up to 5 years)IMCI→
- Iron PoisoningDescription Diagnostic criteria General and supportive measures Medicine treatment Referral ICD-10 code: T45.4 DESCRIPTION Iron is widely available as an over-the-counter product and is commonly ingested accidentally by toddlers. DIAGNOSTIC CRITERIA Toxicity is related to the ingested dose of elemental iron. A single dose of elemental iron > 20 mg/kg requires hospital assessment and manaPEML (Paeds)→
- Iron PoisoningDescription General measures Medicine treatment Referral T45.4 + (X44.99/X64.99/Y14.99) DESCRIPTION Iron is a commonly prescribed drug, especially in pregnancy, and in overdose causes initial gastrointestinal toxicity. Patients may have a stage of “apparent recovery” 6–36 hours post-ingestion. This should not be confused with true recovery as patients may subsequently deteriorate. Significant expEML (Adult)→
- Iron PoisoningIron poisoningOther→
- Irritable Bowel SyndromeThis 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→
- Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)Description General Measures Medicine Treatment Referral ICD-10 code: K58.0/K58.9 DESCRIPTION IBS (also known as “spastic colon” or “irritable colon”) is defined as recurrent abdominal pain that has occurred at least one day per week in the last three months on average, and is associated with two or more of the following: Related to defecation. Associated with a change in stool frequency. AssociaPrimary Care→
- Ischaemic Heart Disease and Atherosclerosis, PreventionStandard Treatment Guidelines and Essential Medicines List for South Africa, Hospital Level, Adults 2019 EditionEML (Adult)→
- Isolation Referral FormReferral forms 11 June 2020Other→
- Isoniazid (INH) (Age 2 months up to 5 years)IMCI - Child (Age 2 months up to 5 years)IMCI→
- Isoniazid Mono-Resistant Tuberculosis in AdultsTB, HIV and AIDSPrimary Care→
- Isoniazid PoisoningDescription General measures Medicine treatment Referral T37.1 + (X44.99/X64.99/Y14.99) DESCRIPTION Acute toxicity can present with the classic triad of seizures, metabolic acidosis, and coma. Seizures are of a generalised tonic-clonic type, and often refractory to standard anticonvulsant therapy. GENERAL MEASURES Supportive management aimed at preventing and managing complications. Treat hyperthEML (Adult)→
- Isoniazid PoisoningDescription Diagnostic criteria General and supportive measures Medicine treatment Referral ICD-10 code: T37.1 DESCRIPTION INH interferes with pyridoxine and niacin metabolism, leading to impaired synthesis of gamma aminobutyric acid (GABA). Acute poisoning, which may follow intentional or accidental ingestions, may be severe. DIAGNOSTIC CRITERIA Clinical Triad of refractory seizures,PEML (Paeds)→
- Itching (Pruritus)Itching (Pruritus)Primary Care→
- Itchy SkinIMCI - Skin problemsIMCI→
- JaundiceThe 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→
- Jaundice and Haematologic IssuesNeonatal jaundice Maternal Rhesus negative Polycythaemia Anaemia Neonatal jaundice 60% of term newborns and approximately 70% of preterm newborns will become jaundiced in their first week of life. It is important to understand that jaundice is not a diagnosis. It is a sign. Every baby with jaundice requires a serum bilirubin. Bilirubin results must be checked on the sameOther→
- Jaundice in ChildJaundice in ChildOther→
- Jaundice in InfantsIntroduction Background Important details on history Important details on examination Management and referral guidance SETTING Primary and Secondary Healthcare Institutions in the Western Cape which refer to Red Cross War Memorial Children’s Hospital (RCWMCH) FOR STAFF Primary and Secondary Doctors and Nurses who refer patients to RCWMCH PATIENTS Patients under the age of 13 years old with jaundiOther→
- Jaundice in PregnancyStandard Treatment Guidelines and Essential Medicines List for South Africa, Hospital Level, Adults, Updated for the 2023 EditionEML (Adult)→
- Jaundice, NeonatalDescription Diagnostic criteria Breastfeeding associated jaundice ICD-10 code: P58 DESCRIPTION Yellow discolouration of the skin and mucous membranes due to hyperbilirubinaemia. Bilirubin is formed mainly from haem catabolism. Jaundice develops when there is an overproduction of bilirubin, defective bilirubin metabolism and/or defective excretion of bilirubin from the body. DIAGNOSTIC CRITEPEML (Paeds)→
- Jaundice, Neonatal, ProlongedDescription Diagnostic criteria General and supportive measures Medicine treatment Referral DESCRIPTION Jaundice (static or a rising bilirubin) present for more than 14 days in a term infant and 21 days in a preterm infant. The usual causes are: breast milk jaundice hypothyroidism hepatitis galactosaemia infections, e.g. UTIs. Breast milk jaundice may be confirmed by substituting breastfeeding wiPEML (Paeds)→
- Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis (JIA)Description Diagnostic criteria General and supportive measures Medicine treatment Referral ICD-10 code: M08.0 DESCRIPTION Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis (JIA) is of unknown origin with unexplained symptoms for at least 6 weeks with onset before the age of 16 years. Other causes of arthritis must be excluded, e.g. infections, malignancy, trauma, other autoimmune disease. Different clinical sPEML (Paeds)→
- Kangaroo Mother Care (KMC)KMC is an important pillar of our neonatal care. It improves rates of breastfeeding, mother-infant bonding, nosocomial infection rates etc. KMC comprises: Kangaroo position: baby upright, skin-to-skin against the mother (or father) between her breasts Breastfeeding/breast milk wherever possible Early discharge with increased outpatient support Please encourage all women to practice KMC , whetherOther→
- Kaposi SarcomaDescription Diagnostic criteria General and supportive measures Medicine treatment Referral ICD-10 code: C46.9 DESCRIPTION Kaposi sarcoma is a vascular tumour that can present anywhere on the skin and oral mucosa. Lymph nodes and internal organs, primarily lungs and gastrointestinal tract, may also be involved. It is associated with human herpes virus 8 and occurs most commonlyPEML (Paeds)→
- Kaposi Sarcoma (KS)Please click on the link below to access the most up-to-date version of this guideline. The content on this page is currently being updated to align with the latest publication. Always check the version number at the bottom of the screen to confirm which version you are using. Click here to access the Adult Hospital Level Chapter 10: HIV_and_AIDS_with_supporting_NEMLC_Report_Reviews_2025-9-VersioEML (Adult)→
- Kawasaki Disease/Mucocutaneous Lymph Node SyndromeDescription Diagnostic criteria General and supportive measures Medicine treatment Referral ICD-10 code: M30.3 DESCRIPTION Kawasaki disease is an acute systemic vasculitis of unknown aetiology occurring predominantly in children. It involves small and medium arteries. The most serious complication is coronary artery aneurysms. Important: MIS-C, a complication of SARS-CoV-2, can mimic KawasaPEML (Paeds)→
- Keeping the Infant or Child Warm (Birth up to 2 months)IMCI - Young Infant (Birth up to 2 months)IMCI→
- KeratitisStandard Treatment Guidelines and Essential Medicines List for South Africa, Hospital Level, Adults 2019 EditionEML (Adult)→
- Ketamine Sedation of Children in Emergency DepartmentsGuideline for Ketamine Sedation of Children in Emergency DepartmentsOther→
- Key Adherence Messages (DPOC SOP, 2023) and Summary of 1st Line ART RegimensKey Adherence Messages Summary of ART Regimens for Adolescent Girls (10-19 years) and Adult Woman Initiating ART KEY ADHERENCE MESSAGES (DIFFERENTIATED MODELS OF CARE STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURES, 2023) 11 Step 1 Education about HIV - What does HIV do to your body? - How taking ART can help you? - The importance of VL suppressions for mother and baby. - Risks of poor aOther→
- Key Components of an AMS ProgrammeSupporting the Antimicrobial Resistance Strategy Framework and the Guidelines on Implementation of the Antimicrobial Strategy in South Africa: One Health Approach and Governance, 2018Other→