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Important: please update your RDS app to version 4.7.3 Details with newsletter below.

Please update your RDS app to v4.7.3

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.

Right Decision Service newsletter: February 2025

Welcome to the February 2025 update from the RDS team

1.     Next release of RDS

 

A new release of RDS is planned (subject to outcomes of current testing) for week beginning 24th February. This will deliver:

 

  • Fixes to mitigate the recurring glitches with the RDS admin area and the occasional brief user interface outages which have arisen following implementation of the new distributed technology infrastructure in December 2024.

 

  • Capability to embed content from Google calendar, Google Maps, Daily Motion, Twitter feeds, Microsoft Stream into RDS pages.

 

  • Capability to include simple multiplication in RDS calculators.

 

The release will also incorporate a number of small fixes, including:

  • Exporting of form within Medicines Sick Day Guidance in polypharmacy toolkit
  • Links to redundant content appearing in search in some RDS toolkits
  • Inclusion of accordion headers alongside accordion text in search result snippets.
  • Feedback form on mobile app.
  • Internal links on mobile app version of benzo tapering tool

 

We will let you know when the date and time for the new release are confirmed.

 

2.     New RDS developments

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.

3.     Archiving and version control and new RDS Search and Browse interface

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.

4.     Statistics

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 .

 

5.     Review of content past its review date

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.

 

6.     Toolkits in development

Some important toolkits in development by the RDS team include:

  • National CVD prevention pathways – due for release end of March 2025.
  • National respiratory pathways, optimal cancer diagnostic pathways and cancer prehabilitation pathways from the Centre for Sustainable Delivery. We will shortly start work on the national cancer referral pathways, first version due for release via RDS around end of June 2025.
  • HIS Quality of Care Review toolkit – currently in final stages of quality assurance.

 

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.

 

7. Training sessions for new editors (also serve as refresher sessions for existing editors) will take place on the following dates:

  • Friday 28th February 12-1 pm
  • Tuesday 11th March 4-5 pm

 

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

 

 

Infectious Diseases Screening Tests in Late Bookers (357)

Please report any inaccuracies or issues with this guideline using our online form

Late bookers are women who present for the first time on or after 24 weeks pregnancy. This is the stage at which the baby is potentially viable if early labour occurred.

The results of the infectious disease screening tests could affect the management at or after delivery, therefore all infectious diseases screening test results for a woman should be known prior to delivery and certainly before discharge.

If a woman presents to maternity services as a late booker i.e. on or after 24 weeks it is important to ensure that screening has been offered and results are received.

 

1) The woman presents to the antenatal clinic, and there is no immediate risk of delivery

  • Seek informed consent for screening (HIV, Syphilis and hepatitis B)
  • Fill one 9ml purple topped EDTA bottle and complete a virology request form, clearly indicating which tests (HIV, Syphilis and hepatitis B) are to be carried out. Even if a woman does not consent to all three tests, please fill one 9ml purple topped EDTA bottle. Do not send two 5ml bottles, or other combinations to make up to 9 ml, the machines in the lab won’t accept them and the sample will not be processed.
  • Ensure tests are recorded on the maternity electronic record.
  • Mark the  sample  as  URGENT  and  telephone  the  West of Scotland Specialist Virology Centre to let them know it is in the system. (0141 201 8722). Alternatively, email west.ssvc2@nhs.scot. State that the patient is a late booker, provide the lab with a contact phone number and state if you are want to receive the result on Clinical Portal or by phone.
  • Send the sample to the virus lab, via normal routine processes.
  • Ensure that the name and contact details of the person and a deputy who will be responsible for any positive results are clearly appended
  • Note that to view a result on portal a CHI number is essential

2) The woman presents to maternity assessment i.e. in pain, bleeding etc therefore the risk of delivery is high

  • Seek informed consent for screening (HIV, Syphilis and hepatitis B)
  • Fill one 9ml purple topped EDTA bottle and complete a virology request form, clearly indicating which tests (HIV, Syphilis and hepatitis B) are to be carried out. Even if a woman does not consent to all three tests, please fill one 9ml purple topped EDTA bottle. Do not send two 5ml bottles, or other combinations to make up to 9 ml, the machines in the lab won’t accept them and the sample will not be processed.
  • Ensure tests are recorded on the maternity electronic record at next                      
  • Mark the sample as ‘URGENT’ and telephone the West of Scotland Specialist Virology Centre before you send the sample.
  • In hours(9.00 – 17.00 Monday to Friday), telephone the lab on 0141 201 8722 and:-
    • Explain that an urgent sample is being sent;
    • Discuss the travel arrangements and
    • Arrange when and to whom the results will be communicated. You must provide the laboratory with adequate contact details to include the name and preferably two contact numbers of the main results recipient and a deputy.
    • Alternatively, in hours only, email west.ssvc2@nhs.scot, flag the email as urgent and state that the patient has a high risk of delivery. Provide the lab with a contact number. They will call you back within an hour.
  • Out of hours (including Saturday and Sunday).
    • Please telephone the on-call virologist via the Switchboard 0141 211 4000 and discuss the above. Do not email the lab out of hours or at the weekend. 
  • If the timing of the local transport systems does not facilitate urgent transfer order a taxi to ensure the sample reaches the laboratory. (see NHSGGC Amended Protocol Ordering and Use of Taxis and Couriers October 2011 [Staffnet link])  
  • In normal hours the lab is able to process and produce results within 1-2 hours of receipt. Note that reactive samples will need to be confirmed on the next day.
  • Note that to view a result on Clinical Portal, a CHI number is essential.

3) The woman presents in labour

It is the responsibility of the labour ward staff to ensure that virology screening tests are offered and results received. Even intrapartum diagnosis can significantly, positively modify neonatal outcome therefore it is important to ensure women are offered screening tests no matter how late.

It is essential that you telephone the virology lab as soon as possible to discuss emergency testing of the woman.

  • Seek informed consent for screening (HIV, Syphilis and hepatitis B)
  • Fill one 9ml purple topped EDTA bottle and complete a virology request form, clearly indicating which tests (HIV, Syphilis and hepatitis B) are to be carried out. Even if a woman does not consent to all three tests, please fill one 9ml purple topped EDTA bottle. Do not send two 5ml bottles, or other combinations to make up to 9 ml, the machines in the lab won’t accept them and the sample will not be processed.
  • Ensure tests are recorded on the maternity electronic record at next      
  • Mark the sample as ‘URGENT’ and telephone the West of Scotland Specialist Virology Centre before you send the sample.
  • In hours (9.00 – 17.00 Monday to Friday), telephone the laboratory on 0141 201 8722 and:-
    • Explain that an urgent sample is being sent;
    • Discuss the travel arrangements and
    • Arrange when and to whom the results will be communicated. You must provide the laboratory with adequate contact details to include the name and preferably two contact numbers of the main results recipient and a deputy.
  • Out of hours (including Saturday and Sunday) Please telephone the on-call virologist via the Switchboard 0141 211 4000 and discuss the above.
  • Order a taxi to ensure the sample reaches the laboratory. (see NHSGGC Amended Protocol Ordering and Use of Taxis and Couriers October 2011 [Staffnet link]) 
  • As with ALL emergency blood tests ensure results are followed up immediately they are available. In normal hours the lab is able to process and produce results within 1-2 hours of receipt.  
  • Communication with paediatricians is essential as their management may be significantly altered by these results however the responsibility for taking and sending these investigations and obtaining these results remains with the midwifery / obstetric team.

Editorial Information

Last reviewed: 20/03/2021

Next review date: 30/04/2023

Author(s): Gillian Penrice.

Version: 4

Approved By: Maternity Clinical Governance Group

Document Id: 357