COVID-19 rapid guideline: managing suspected or confirmed pneumonia in adults in the community

Excerpt

The purpose of this guideline is to ensure the best treatment for adults with suspected or confirmed pneumonia in the community during the COVID-19 pandemic and best use of NHS resources. We have withdrawn our guideline on diagnosing and managing pneumonia in adults until further notice. For general advice on managing COVID-19 symptoms, see the NICE COVID-19 rapid guideline on managing symptoms (including at the end of life) in the community.

On 23 April 2020, we clarified the recommendations on antibiotic treatment for bacterial pneumonia in the community during the COVID-19 pandemic.

This guideline focuses on what you need to stop or start doing during the pandemic. Follow the usual professional guidelines, standards and laws (including those on equalities, safeguarding, communication and mental capacity), as described in making decisions using NICE guidelines.

This guideline is for:

1. health and care practitioners

2. health and care staff involved in planning and delivering services

3. commissioners.

The recommendations bring together:

1. existing national and international guidance and policies

2. advice from specialists working in the NHS from across the UK. These include people with expertise and experience of treating patients for the specific health conditions covered by the guidance during the current COVID-19 pandemic.

We developed this guideline using the interim process and methods for developing rapid guidelines on COVID-19 in response to the rapidly evolving situation. We will review and update the recommendations as the knowledge base develops using the interim process and methods for guidelines developed in response to health and social care emergencies.