Quality standard
Quality statement 1: Referral to specialist allergy services after emergency treatment
Quality statement 1: Referral to specialist allergy services after emergency treatment
Quality statement
People who have emergency treatment for suspected anaphylaxis are referred to a specialist allergy service.
Rationale
Specialist allergy services can provide a definitive diagnosis and identify the cause of an anaphylactic reaction. Referral to these services after emergency treatment for suspected anaphylaxis will ensure that people receive the correct advice and treatment. If people are not referred to a specialist allergy service their safety might be compromised and they may receive inappropriate management, have an increased risk of recurrent anaphylactic reactions and feel anxious about possible recurrence.
Quality measures
The following measures can be used to assess the quality of care or service provision specified in the statement. They are examples of how the statement can be measured, and can be adapted and used flexibly.
Structure
Evidence of local arrangements and written clinical protocols to ensure that people who have emergency treatment for suspected anaphylaxis are referred to a specialist allergy service.
Data source: Data can be collected from information recorded locally by healthcare professionals and provider organisations, for example, from clinical protocols.
Process
Proportion of cases of emergency treatment for suspected anaphylaxis that are followed by referral to a specialist allergy service.
Numerator – the number in the denominator that are followed by referral to a specialist allergy service.
Denominator – the number of cases of emergency treatment for suspected anaphylaxis.
Data source: Data can be collected from information recorded locally by healthcare professionals and provider organisations, for example, from patient records.
What the quality statement means for different audiences
Service providers (such as primary care providers, emergency departments and paediatric services) ensure that people who have had emergency treatment for suspected anaphylaxis are referred to a specialist allergy service.
Healthcare professionals (such as GPs, emergency department staff, and members of paediatric and adult medical teams) refer people who have had emergency treatment for suspected anaphylaxis to a specialist allergy service. The referral can be made by the person's GP, for example, after initial treatment in an emergency department or by hospital staff.
Commissioners (such as integrated care systems, clinical commissioning groups and NHS England) commission local specialist allergy services and agree pathways for referral to specialist allergy services for people who have had emergency treatment for suspected anaphylaxis.
People who have had emergency treatment for suspected anaphylaxis (a severe, life-threatening allergic reaction) are offered an appointment at a specialist allergy service. This is to find out the cause of the reaction and to get advice on what to do in the future.
Source guidance
Anaphylaxis: assessment and referral after emergency treatment. NICE guideline CG134 (2011, updated 2020), recommendation 1.1.9
Definitions of terms used in this quality statement
Suspected anaphylaxis
A person who presents with the signs and symptoms of anaphylaxis may be classified as having a 'severe allergic' reaction rather than an 'anaphylactic' reaction. The NICE guideline on anaphylaxis gives details of clinical features that suggest anaphylactic reaction. Anyone who presents with such signs and symptoms should be diagnosed as having 'suspected anaphylaxis'. [Adapted from NICE's guideline on anaphylaxis, terms used in this guideline]
Specialist allergy service
A service consisting of healthcare professionals with the skills and competencies needed to accurately investigate, diagnose, monitor and provide ongoing management of, and patient education about, suspected anaphylaxis. The service should be age-appropriate if possible. [NICE's guideline on anaphylaxis, recommendation 1.1.9]
Details of local allergy services are available from the British Society for Allergy and Clinical Immunology (BSACI) 'find a clinic' search, including information on services with expertise, in particular, allergies such as food, drug or venom allergies, or from the NHS website allergy service finder. [Expert opinion]