Endocrine Abstracts

Adrenal insufficiency is often under recognised which leads to adrenal crisis and death if not treated promptly. The NHS Improvement national patient safety alert (NatPSA) identified several actions an organisation needs to implement including introduction of the new steroid emergency card, identifying the patients at risk of adrenal insufficiency and those who require adrenal function assessment. This is also endorsed by Healthcare Improvement Scotland.

Aims: To educate and raise awareness and prevent Adrenal Crisis.

Method: Delivery of Educational sessions across NHS Grampian both online and in person to a variety of disciplines and specialties.

Outcome: Medical professionals prescribing glucocorticoids to provide steroid education and identify those who will require steroid emergency card or at risk of adrenal insufficiency 1a) Standard booklet on steroid sick day rule 1b) Ensuring patients have steroid emergency card if deemed at risk 1c) Identifying those at risk and for investigation of adrenal insufficiency This will ensure a large proportion of patients across NHS Grampian on long term steroids have equal access to steroid education, alerts on IT system and early recognition and treatment of adrenal crisis Delivery of Education to multiple speciality departments across NHS Grampian. Audience includes all disciplines within the healthcare team, predominantly targeting Consultants & all levels of the medical team, Specialist Nurses and those involved with patients who are currently and have previously been on treatment steroids. Teams Educated to date- Respiratory, Dermatology, Gastroenterology, Rheumatology, Oncology, Anaesthetic Department Advanced Nurse Practitioners & Pharmacists (Primary and Secondary Care) Education of these teams means improved patient’s safety. Initiation and delivery of communication and support for these specialist teams by providing Multi-disciplinary team meetings and advice on pathways for Nurse led steroid clinics. There is also a dedicated Steroid Advice email. Specialist information and resources compiled for Grampian guidance