The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) in London issued guidance on 27 July to help hospitals safely provide planned care and diagnostic services during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Planned care means elective surgery, interventional procedures, diagnostics, and imaging, according to NICE, which is an executive nondepartmental public body of the Department of Health in England. The organization has also created a visual summary to support patients and care providers in planned care decision-making.
The guideline incorporates the following resources:
- Evidence from published literature on COVID-19 and arranging planned care
- Existing national and international guidance and policies
- Advice from specialists working in the National Health Service (NHS) from across the U.K.
NICE plans to review and update the guidance as more knowledge regarding COVID-19 and patient care develops.
