We asked you in January to update to v4.7.2. After the deployment planned for 27th February, this new update will be needed to ensure that you are able to download RDS toolkits even when the RDS website is not available. We will wait until as many users as possible have downloaded the new version before switching off the old system for app downloads and moving entirely to the new approach.
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 update to the latest release:
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.
Welcome to the February 2025 update from the RDS team
A new release of RDS is planned (subject to outcomes of current testing) for week beginning 24th February. This will deliver:
The release will also incorporate a number of small fixes, including:
We will let you know when the date and time for the new release are confirmed.
There is now the capability to publish toolkits on the web with left hand side navigation rather than tiles on the homepage. To use this feature, turn on the “Toggle navigation panel” option at the top of the Page settings menu at toolkit homepage level – see below. Please note that publication to downloadable mobile app for this type of navigation is still under development.
The Benzodiazepine tapering tool (https://rightdecisions.scot.nhs.uk/benzotapering) is now available as part of the RDS toolkit for the national benzodiazepine prescribing guidance developed by the Scottish Government Effective Prescribing team. The tool uses this national guidance developed with a wide-ranging multidisciplinary group. This should be used in combination with professional judgement and an understanding of the needs of the individual patient.
Due to the intensive work Tactuum has had to undertake on the new technology infrastructure has pushed back the delivery dates again and some new requirements have come out of the recent user acceptance testing. It now looks likely to be an April release for the search and browse interface. The archiving and version control functionality may be released earlier. We’ll keep you posted.
At the end of January, Olivia completed the generation of the latest set of usage statistics for all RDS toolkits. If you would like a copy of the stats for your toolkit, please contact Olivia.graham@nhs.scot .
We have now generated reports of all RDS toolkit content that has exceeded its review date by 6 months or more. We will be in touch later this month with toolkit owners and editors to agree the plan for updating or withdrawing out of date content.
Some important toolkits in development by the RDS team include:
The RDS team and other information scientists in HIS have also been producing evidence summaries for the Scottish Government Realistic Medicine team, to inform development of national guidance around Procedures of Limited Clinical Value. This guidance will in due course be translated into an RDS toolkit.
To book a place, please contact Olivia.graham@nhs.scot, providing your name, organisation, job role, and level of experience with RDS editing (none, a little, moderate, extensive.)
To invite colleagues to sign up to receive this newsletter, please signpost them to the registration form - also available in End-user and Provider sections of the RDS Learning and Support area. If you have any questions about the content of this newsletter, please contact his.decisionsupport@nhs.scot If you would prefer not to receive future newsletters, please email Olivia.graham@nhs.scot and ask to be removed from the circulation list.
With kind regards
Right Decision Service team
Healthcare Improvement Scotland
To provide a consistent and safe approach to the pharmaceutical post-operative management of patients following hypospadias repair.
Applies to all patients following hypospadias repair within The Royal Hospital for Children Glasgow.
Roles and Responsibilities
All health care professionals providing medicines for the postoperative management of patients following hypospadias repair.
Duration of treatment is for the duration the stent remains in place. This is usually 7 days although may be ten days depending on the day surgery falls upon.
If stent is suprapubic duration of treatment may be extended as per surgical consultants instruction.
Antimicrobial prophylaxis is recommended in all patients with a stent. Co-amoxiclav is a broad spectrum antibiotic that will cover the patient from several organisms.
Co-amoxiclav (Augmentin) 125/31 suspension
|
Age |
Dose |
Frequency |
|
1 month – 1 year |
0.25mL/kg (125/31 suspension) |
Once daily at night |
|
1 – 5 years |
5mL of 125/31 suspension |
Once daily at night |
Co-amoxiclav (Augmentin) 250/62 suspension
|
Age |
Dose |
Frequency |
|
>5 years |
5ml of 250/62 suspension |
Once daily at night |
Trimethoprim
If the patient has a history of UTI’s, is at a higher risk of UTIs or is allergic to penicillin, prophylactic Trimethoprim may be prescribed where appropriate. Dose for all ages is 1-2mg/kg at night.
Oxybutynin 2.5mg/5ml elixir
The prescriber must check the patient’s weight is appropriate for age before prescribing.
|
Weight |
Dose |
|
<10kg |
0.2mg/kg |
|
10 – 14kg |
2mg three times daily |
|
15 – 25kg |
2.5mg three times daily |
|
>25kg |
5mg three times daily |
Paracetamol 120mg/5mL suspension
For first 48 hours paracetamol should be given regularly, after which time ‘when required’ paracetamol should be prescribed.
Refer to current BNFc for age based dosing of paracetamol
Ibuprofen 100mg/5mL suspension
If appropriate and required, prescribe ‘when required’ for all patients.
Refer to current BNFC for age based dosing of ibuprofen
Lactulose solution
If patient has history a of constipation or is suffering with symptoms of constipation lactulose should be prescribed when required.
|
Age |
Dose |
|
<1 year |
2.5mL twice daily |
|
1 - 5 years |
5mL twice daily |
|
5 - 10 years |
10mL twice daily |
Adjust dose according to response.
Staged repairs may also require the use of Normal Saline 0.9% for twice daily flushing of the catheter. Prescribe if appropriate for patient.
Duration of treatment 5 - 7 days.
Unless surgery is extensive antimicrobial prophylaxis is not recommended. If surgery is thought to be extensive and patient at a high risk of infection, Co-amoxiclav should be prescribed as above in section 1.1.
Without the use of a catheter oxybutynin is not required.
Paracetamol and Ibuprofen should be prescribed if required as above in section 1.3.
If required lactulose should be prescribed as above in section 1.
