Community spondylodiscitis | Right Decisions

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.

Do not start antibiotic therapy until deep samples obtained.

In a patient who is haemodynamically unstable/abnormal neurological exam/imaging shows evidence of spinal epidural abscess discuss with microbiology and neurosurgery

Required investigations

Blood cultures X 2 sets (10mls in each bottle)

Imaging and sampling (biopsy/surgical sampling)

Antibiotic recommendation

Recommended antibiotic	Flucloxacillin 2g IV 6 hourly
Severe penicillin allergy or previous MRSA	Vancomycin IV (use NHS Lothian Calculator on AMT intranet page); aim trough levels 15-20mg/L

These groups are at a higher risk of Gram-negative infection

elderly
frail
recurrent UTI
recent urological or abdominal surgery

CONSIDER

Gentamicin IV Use NHS Lothian Calculator located AMT intranet page

Recommended total duration

Directed antimicrobial therapy is usually guided by microbiology and infection specialists.

Usually 6-12 weeks duration.

Notes

Causative organisms include; Staph aureus, streptococci.