Acute respiratory infection in over 16s: initial assessment and management including virtual wards (hospital at home)

This quality standard covers the initial assessment and management of suspected acute respiratory infection in over 16s, including acute respiratory infection virtual wards.

It covers people with comorbidities that may affect their risk, such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and asthma, but does not cover long-term management of those conditions.

It does not cover aspiration pneumonia or respiratory infection acquired while an inpatient in hospital or during end-of-life care.

Last reviewed: 31 October 2023

How to use NICE quality standards and how we develop them

Quality standards help you improve the quality of care you provide or commission. They apply in England and Wales (see the UK government website and Welsh government website). Decisions on how they apply in Scotland and Northern Ireland are made by ministers in the Scottish government and Northern Ireland Executive.

Find out how to use quality standards and how we develop them.