Suspected Meningococcal Disease

Right Decisions
Antimicrobial prescribing: NHS Forth Valley
Primary Care Guidance
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MENINGITIS
Suspected Meningococcal Disease

Please update your RDS mobile app to version 4.7.1

We are pleased to advise that deep linking capability, enabling users to directly download individual mobile toolkits, has now been released on the RDS mobile app. When you install the update, you will see that each toolkit has a small QR code icon the header area beside the search icon – see screenshot below. Clicking on this icon will open up a window with a full-size QR code and the alternative of a short URL for sharing with users. Instructions are provided.

You may need to actively install the update to install RDS app version 4.7.1 to see this improvement. Installing this update is also strongly recommended to get the full benefits of the new contingency arrangements – specifically, that if the RDS website should fail, you will still be able to download new mobile app toolkits.

To check your current RDS version, click on the three dots bottom right of the RDS app screen. This takes you to a “More” page where you will see the version number. To install latest updates:

On iPhones – go to the Apple store, click on your profile icon top right, scroll down to see the apps waiting to be updated and update the RDS app.

On Android phones – these can vary, but try going to the Google Play store, click on your profile icon top right, click on “Manage apps and device”, select and update the RDS app.

Please get in touch with ann.wales3@nhs.scot with any questions.

Suspected meningococcal disease

NICE Meningitis

Transfer all patients to hospital immediately.

IF time before hospital admission, and non-blanching rash, give IV benzylpenicillin or cefotaxime, unless definite history of hypersensitivity.

Prevention of secondary case of meningitis:

Only prescribe following advice from Public Health Doctor: 9 am – 5 pm: 01786 457 260

Out of hours: Call Switchboard at FVRH 01324 566000 and ask for Public health Doctor on call 01786 457260

Drug details

IV or IM benzylpenicillin

Age 10+ years: 1200mg

Children 1-9 year: 600mg

Children less than than 1 year: 300mg

Give IM if vein cannot be found

IV or IM cefotaxime

Age 12+ years: 1g

Children <12 years: 50mg/kg

Give IM if vein cannot be found