NOTE: By submitting this form and registering with us, you are providing us with permission to store your personal data and the record of your registration. In addition, registration with the Medical Independent includes granting consent for the delivery of that additional professional content and targeted ads, and the cookies required to deliver same. View our Privacy Policy and Cookie Notice for further details.



Don't have an account? Subscribe

ADVERTISEMENT

ADVERTISEMENT

Unclear protocol for designating ‘very high-risk’ patients

By Mindo - 25th Jan 2021

An infected patient in quarantine lying in bed in hospital, coronavirus concept.

There are no clear criteria to guide redesignation of a medical condition from ‘very high-risk’ to ‘high-risk’ and vice versa, in regard to Covid-19, heard the expert advisory group (EAG) to the national public health emergency team (NPHET).

According to minutes of the EAG’s meeting on 3 November 2020, it queried the level of risk required to move medical conditions between these categories.

“It was clarified that there is no established acceptable risk criteria, and it was highlighted that this is a current gap where clarity would be beneficial,” according to minutes. “However, it was noted that it is difficult to clarify how much evidence is needed and what risk is acceptable for downgrading.”

“There was a query around whether we can make a decision to move a condition from the very high-risk group to the high-risk group without having a predetermined metric to make that decision. It was clarified that this is often based on expert medical opinion and highlighted that other countries have removed groups from their list based on new evidence.”

The risk categories were noted as having “extremely important implications for vaccine policy as they will inform vaccine allocation”. There was a need for “a clear process for when evidence emerges on risk categories and the requirement for updating categories”.

A HSE spokesperson told the Medical Independent that evidence related to risk of severe illness from Covid-19 continues to evolve. The category of ‘very high-risk’ or ‘extremely medically vulnerable’ was based on the NHS shielding guidance. The ‘high-risk’ group was developed “with HSE public health advice” and based on European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control guidance.

A review of those defined as ‘extremely medically vulnerable’ was conducted by HIQA in late 2020. The advice was not to remove any groups from this list, noting the lack of evidence in certain areas. “Work is ongoing to consider the incorporation of additional patient groups to the overarching definition of those at highest risk of severe illness from Covid-19.”

Leave a Reply

ADVERTISEMENT

Latest

ADVERTISEMENT

ADVERTISEMENT

ADVERTISEMENT

Latest Issue
The Medical Independent 19th March 2024

You need to be logged in to access this content. Please login or sign up using the links below.

ADVERTISEMENT

Most Read

ADVERTISEMENT

ADVERTISEMENT

ADVERTISEMENT