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Right Decision Service newsletter: April 2024

Welcome to the Right Decision Service (RDS) newsletter for April 2024. 

Issues with RDS and Umbraco access

Tactuum has been working hard to address the issues experienced during the last week. They have identified a series of three mitigation measures and put the first of these in place on Friday 3rd May.  If this does not resolve the problems, the second mitigation will be actioned, and then the third if necessary.

Please keep a lookout for any slowing down of the system or getting locked out. Please email myself, mbuchner@tactuum.com and onivarova@tactuum.com if you experience any problems, and also please raise an urgent support ticket via the Support Portal.

Thank you for your patience and understanding while we achieve a full resolution.

Promotion and communication resources

A rotating carousel presenting some of the key RDS tools and capabilities, and an editable slideset, are now available in the Resources for RDS providers section of the Learning and Support toolkit.

Redesign and improvements to RDS

The redesign of RDS Search and Browse is still on-track for delivery by mid-June 2024. We then plan to have a 3-week user acceptance testing phase before release to live. All editors and toolkit owners on this mailing list will be invited to participate in the UAT.

The archiving and version control functionality is also progressing well and we will advise on timescales for user acceptance testing shortly.

Tactuum is also progressing with the deep linking to individual toolkits within the mobile RDS app. There are several unknowns around the time and effort required for this work, which will only become clear as the work progresses. So we need to be careful to protect budget for this purpose.

New feature requests

These have all been compiled and effort estimated. Once the redesign work is complete, these will be prioritised in line with the remaining budget. We expect this to take place around late June.

Evaluation

Many thanks to those of you completed the value and impact survey we distributed in February. Here are some key findings from the 65 responses we received.

Figure 1: Impact of RDS on direct delivery of care

Key figures

  • 93% say that RDS has improved evidence-informed practice (high impact 62%; some impact 31%)
  • 91% report that RDS has improved consistency in practice (high impact 65%, some impact 26%)
  • 85% say that RDS has improved patient safety (high impact 59%, some impact 26%)
  • Although shared decision-making tools are only a recent addition to RDS, and only represent a small proportion of the current toolset, 85% of respondents still said that RDS had delivered impact in this area (53% high impact, 32% some impact.) 92% anticipate that RDS will deliver impact on shared decision-making in future and 85% believe it will improve delivery of personalised care in future.

Figure 2 shows RDS impact to date on delivery of health and care services

 

Key figures

These data show how RDS is already contributing to NHS reform priorities and supporting delivery of more sustainable care.

Saving time and money

  • RDS clearly has a strong impact on saving practitioner time, with 90% of respondents reporting that this is the case. 65% say it has a high impact; 25% say it has some impact on time-saving.
  • It supports devolved decision-making across the multi-professional team (85% of respondents)
  • 76% of respondents confirm that it saves money compared, for example, to investing in commercial apps (54% high impact; 22% some impact.)
  • 72% believe it has impacted already on saving money and reducing waste in the way services are delivered – e.g. reducing costs of referral management, prescribing, admissions.

Quality assurance and governance

  • RDS leads are clear that RDS has improved local governance of guidelines, with 87% confirming that this is the case. (62% high impact; 25% some impact.)

Service innovation and workforce development

  • RDS is a major driver for service innovation and improvement (83% of respondents) and has impacted significantly on workforce knowledge and skills (92% of respondents – 66% high impact; 26% some impact).

New toolkits

A few examples of toolkits published to live in the last month:

Toolkits in development

Some of the toolkits the RDS team is currently working on:

  • SARCS (Sexual Assault Response Coordination Service)
  • Staffing method framework – Care Inspectorate.
  • SIGN 171 - Diabetes in pregnancy
  • SIGN 158 – British Guideline on Management of Asthma. Selected sections will be incorporated into the RDS, and complemented by a new chronic asthma pathway being developed by SIGN, British Thoracic Society and NICE.
  • Clinical pathways from NHS Fife and NHS Lanarkshire

Please contact his.decisionsupport@nhs.scot if you would like to learn more about a toolkit. The RDS team will put you in touch with the relevant toolkit lead.

Quality audit of RDS toolkits

Thanks to all of you who have responded to the retrospective quality audit survey and to the follow up questions.  We still have some following up to do, and to work with owners of a further 23 toolkits to complete responses. An interim report is being presented to the HIS Quality and Performance Committee.

Implementation projects

Eight clinical services and two public library services are undertaking tests of change to implement the Being a partner in my care app. This app aims to support patients and the public to become active participants in Realistic Medicine. It has a strong focus on personalised, person-centred care and a library of shared decision aids, as well as simple explanations and videoclips to help the public to understand the aims of Realistic Medicine.  The tests of change will inform guidance and an implementation model around wider adoption and spread of the app.

With kind regards

Right Decision Service team

Healthcare Improvement Scotland

Hormone Replacement Therapy Prescribing (314)

Warning

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

The menopause is a challenging time.  Many women elect to take hormone replacement therapy to alleviate the symptoms of flushing and sweating.  Assuming there are no absolute contra-indications, patient choice should decide whether HRT is taken or not, what type of preparation and for how long.

Symptoms of Menopause

As a change in their menstrual cycle, women may experience a variety of symptoms, including:

  • vasomotor symptoms (for example, hot flushes and sweats)
  • musculoskeletal symptoms (for example, joint and muscle pain)
  • effects on mood (for example, low mood)
  • urogenital symptoms (for example, vaginal dryness)
  • sexual difficulties (for example, low sexual desire).

HRT is currently licensed for the symptomatic control of flushes and sweats, and vaginal oestrogen for the treatment of vaginal symptoms. HRT is not currently licensed as first-line therapy for the prevention of osteoporosis, the treatment of mood or musculoskeletal symptoms.

History

  • Date of LMP
  • Frequency and duration of menses
  • Severity and frequency of flushes / sweats
  • Sexual difficulties, including vaginal dryness
  • Contraception, if required (a women is considered potentially fertile for 2 years after her last menstrual period if she is younger than 50 years of age, and for 1 year if she is over 50 years of age)
  • Personal/Family history of breast/ovarian/bowel cancer
  • Personal/Family history of DVT/PTE
  • Risk factors for CHD/stroke
  • Risk factors for osteoporosis [smoking, premature ovarian insufficiency (POI), low BMI, excess alcohol, family history]
  • Migraines

Examination

  • BP/BMI
  • Breast/pelvic – only if clinically indicated

Diagnosis of perimenopause and menopause

Women aged over 45 years, with menopausal symptoms. 

Diagnose the following without laboratory tests:

  • Perimenopause based on vasomotor symptoms and irregular periods
  • Menopause in women who have not had a period for at least 12 months and are not using hormonal contraception
  • Menopause based on symptoms in women without a uterus.

Women aged under 40 years and those aged 40 to 45 years, with menopausal symptoms, including a change in their menstrual cycle, 

  • Consider a pregnancy test
  • Consider using FSH to diagnose menopause.
    Note: Do not use this test if women are using oestrogen-containing hormonal contraception

Surgical Menopause

Offer support to women who are likely to go through menopause as a result of surgical treatment (including women with cancer, at high risk of hormone sensitive cancer or having gynaecological surgery) and:

  • information about menopause and fertility before they have their treatment
  • for more complex cases consider referral to a healthcare professional with expertise in menopause.

Contraindications to HRT

  • Pregnancy
  • Abnormal vaginal bleeding which has not been investigated
  • Known or suspected breast, endometrial or oestrogen sensitive cancer
  • Untreated endometrial hyperplasia
  • Recurrent VTE
  • Active or recent (≤1 year) arterial thromboembolic disease (e.g. angina, MI) •Untreated hypertension
  • Active liver disease with abnormal LFTs
  • Porphyria cutanea tarda – oestrogen is an exacerbating factor

Refer to specialist menopause clinic

  • Migraines with aura
  • Previous idiopathic VTE or women currently on anticoagulant therapy
  • Any woman who wishes to discuss alternatives to HRT
  • Any woman with unclear risks or who wishes a 2nd opinion

Lifestyle modifications to reduce menopausal symptoms

  • Hot flushes and night sweats — regular exercise, weight loss (if applicable), wearing lighter clothing, sleeping in a cooler room, reducing stress, and avoiding possible triggers (such as spicy foods, caffeine, smoking, and alcohol).
  • Sleep disturbances — avoiding exercise late in the day and maintaining a regular bedtime.
  • Mood and anxiety disturbances — adequate sleep, regular physical activity, and relaxation exercises.
  • Cognitive symptoms — exercise and good night-time routine e.g. avoidance of blue light emitting devices in bed.

Prescribing

The  intention  is  always  to  use  the  lowest  effective  dose  that  achieves  symptom control.   HRT can be given orally or transdermally (patches or gel) and is available as oestrogen-only preparations (for women without a uterus) and combined oestrogen-progestogen preparations (for women with an intact uterus - oestrogen alleviates symptoms whilst progestogen provides endometrial protection). 

The choice of formulation will depend on the woman’s preference, however transdermal preparations may be appropriate if;

  • The woman prefers this route
  • Symptom control is poor with oral treatment
  • Oral treatment causes GI side effects
  • The woman is taking a hepatic enzyme-inducing drug
  • The woman has a bowel disorder which may affect absorption of oral treatments
  • The woman has lactose sensitivity (most HRT tablets contain lactose)
  • The woman is diabetic
  • The woman has an increased risk of VTE

If in any doubt, refer to a specialist menopause clinic.

After commencing therapy, review at 3 months, and once stabilised, an annual review by the primary care physician is advised.  After commencing or changing any regime, women should be advised to persist with that regime for 6 months to permit minor side-effects to settle and to assess response to therapy. 

Cyclical preparations (also called sequential HRT) should be used for those women with menstrual cycles or those who are within 1 year of their last cycle.  

Continuous combined preparations provide oestrogen and progestogen throughout the cycle. These are best reserved for those women where 12 months have elapsed since the last menses or in women commencing HRT over the age of 54 years.  Irregular bleeding is more likely to be a problem if a continuous combined preparation is commenced too early.

Special circumstances

Subtotal hysterectomy:

There is always the possibility of residual endometrium. In these cases, a combined preparation should be used.  Discuss with a Consultant or refer to a specialist menopause clinic if unopposed oestrogen is considered.

Previous hysterectomy for endometriosis:

These cases should be considered individually. Unopposed oestrogen or continuous combined preparations can be prescribed. 

Levonorgestrel-IUS already in situ:

The IUS is licensed for endometrial protection as part of the HRT regime. Any oestrogen preparation which is suitable for the woman can be prescribed. Mirena® currently has a four year license for this indication; however FRSH guidance now states that 5 year use is acceptable.

Previous endometrial ablation:

These women must be assumed to have residual endometrium and should be treated as per those with an intact uterus.

Premature Ovarian Insufficiency (POI):

These women should take sex steroid replacement, with a choice of combined HRT or combined hormonal contraceptive (CHC), until the average age of the natural menopause (51years). There is no evidence that HRT increases the risk of breast cancer or cardiovascular disease in these women.  

Spontaneous ovulation can occur in 5-10% of these women, HRT is not contraceptive, therefore additional contraception (if not using CHC as HRT) is required if conception is to be avoided.

Local vaginal therapy

This  may  be  used  in  women  with  localised  symptoms  such  as vaginal dryness and dyspareunia.  Topical oestrogens can be used without systemic progestogens.  Vagifem® low dose (10µg) has a license for long-term use. Please refer to the management of vulval-vaginal atrophy (VVA) guideline.

Risks of HRT

Venous thromboembolism (VTE)
There is an increased risk of VTE with oral HRT preparations.  There is no increased risk associated with transdermal HRT given at standard therapeutic doses.

Coronary heart disease (CHD) and stroke See HRT and Cardiovascular Disease guideline.

Type 2 diabetes

HRT (either orally or transdermally) is not associated with an increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes.

Breast cancer

  • The baseline risk of breast cancer for women around menopausal age in the UK varies from one woman to another.
  • HRT with oestrogen alone is associated with little or no increase in the risk of breast cancer.
  • HRT with oestrogen and progestogen can be associated with an increase in the risk of breast cancer – see NICE guidance for table.
  • Any increase in risk of breast cancer is related to treatment duration and reduces after stopping HRT.
  • HRT does not affect the risk of dying from breast cancer.

Dementia

The likelihood of HRT affecting the risk of dementia is unknown.

Alternative therapies

NICE found some evidence that isoflavones and black cohosh may relieve vasomotor symptoms compared with placebo; however, the results should be interpreted with caution because the variety of herbal preparations used in studies may differ significantly.  Women who wish to discuss these options should be referred to a specialist menopause clinic.

Links for patients

  • Menopause and You GGC Patient Information Leaflet
  • Menopause Matters (menopausematters.co.uk) — provides information on the menopause, menopausal symptoms, and treatment options.
  • The Daisy Network (daisynetwork.org.uk) — a nationwide support group for women who have suffered a premature menopause.
  • The British Menopause Society at http://www.thebms.org.uk/

Editorial Information

Last reviewed: 05/06/2018

Next review date: 30/04/2023

Author(s): Jenifer Sassarini.

Version: 3

Approved By: Gynaecology Clinical Governance Group

Document Id: 314