Resources for health professionals and their patients

For: Doctors in A&E, PICU, Paediatrics and General Medicine

Endorsed by: RCPCH

This is an educational tool, not an evidence-based guideline.  It provides an opportunity to learn from real cases from the research study, using individual case histories as a basis for discussion and learning. The cases are presented in interactive question and answer format, linked to text, photos and audio.

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For: Doctors in A&E, PICU, Paediatrics and General Medicine in the UK

Distributed in partnership with NICE

Poster updating the original St Mary's/MRF protocol 'Early Management of Meningococcal Disease' in line with NICE guideline CG102.

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For: Doctors in A&E, Critical Care, Infectious Diseases and General Medicine

The algorithm focuses specifically on minimising delays in diagnosis and administration of antibiotics, appropriate use of monitoring, investigations, critical care facilities and management of the complications of the disease, primarily shock and raised intracranial pressure. As most adults with bacterial meningitis or meningococcal septicaemia present to clinicians with little experience of these conditions, the algorithm aids early recognition, stabilisation and institution of specific therapeutic measures, which are crucial to patient outcome.

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For: Frontline (Triage) Nurses in Ireland

Endorsed by: INMO

This card focuses on the measurement of vital signs to detect the underlying symptoms of meningitis and septicaemia.

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For: Doctors in A&E, PICU, Paediatrics and General Medicine in England, Wales and Northern Ireland

This checklist has been developed in consultation with clinicians with many years’ experience of treating and following up children after bacterial meningitis and septicaemia.

It incorporates NICE CG102 and QS19 and can be filed in the patient’s notes, allowing the clinician to document that recovery information has been relayed to families and appropriate assessment and review procedures have been followed.

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For: Doctors in A&E, PICU, Paediatrics and General Medicine in Scotland

This checklist has been developed in consultation with clinicians with many years’ experience of treating and following up children after bacterial meningitis and septicaemia.

It incorporates NICE CG102 and QS19 and can be filed in the patient’s notes, allowing the clinician to document that recovery information has been relayed to families and appropriate assessment and review procedures have been followed.

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For: Doctors in A&E, PICU, Paediatrics and General Medicine

Endorsed by: RCPCH

CPD: The RCPCH has approved this distance learning product from 3 May 2017 to 2 May 2019 in accordance with the current RCPCH CPD guidelines.

MRF-funded research identified a need for improved recognition, diagnosis and management of young infants with bacterial meningitis across the UK. The research uncovered a lack of recognition of clinical features in primary and secondary care leading to delays from the onset of first symptoms to treatment; delays in starting antibiotics; choice of antibiotics not being in conformity with NICE guidelines; delays in performing lumbar puncture and lack of consensus on long term follow up. 

Using real-life anonymised example scenarios from the research, this interactive eLearning tool provides an opportunity for clinicians to learn how to recognise, investigate, manage and appropriately follow up young infants who present with possible bacterial meningitis.

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For: Doctors in A&E, PICU, Paediatrics and General Medicine

This algorithm poster for clinicians can aid rapid identification and appropriate management of bacterial meningitis in infants under three months of age - an age group in which the symptoms are mostly non-specific and resemble many other less serious viral illnesses.

The algorithm can be used as a guide to help clinicians decide when it is appropriate to carry out further investigations in young infants, and provides information about timely and appropriate treatment with antibiotics and appropriate treatment duration, as well as information about appropriate follow up care.

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For: Doctors in A&E, PICU, Paediatrics and General Medicine

An information sheet which clinicians can give to parents of young infants presenting with possible bacterial meningitis, to explain why the lumbar puncture procedure is necessary and to help reassure about the safety of the procedure.

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For: Ambulance personnel in Ireland

Card to help ambulance personnel identify and manage meningococcal septicaemia in patients they are transporting to hospital.

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