Clinical Guidelines

scissors This area contains clinical guidelines developed by IAEM Clinical Guidelines Committee (CGC). This committee was established in 2014 to meet the increasing need for high quality, evidence-based Emergency Department (ED)-specific clinical guidelines in Ireland. It’s main objective is to improve the quality and safety of ED patient care in Ireland.

The current membership of the committee is:

Dr John Cronin (Chair), Consultant in Emergency Medicine, St. Vincent’s University Hospital
guidelines@iaem.ie
Dr Termizi Hassan (Vice Chair), Consultant in Emergency Medicine, Hermitage Medical Clinic, Dublin
Dr Aniqa Bano, Registrar in Emergency Medicine, Cork University Hospital
Dr Carol Blackburn, Consultant in Paediatric Emergency Medicine, OLCHC, Dublin
Dr James Condren, Specialist Registrar in Emergency Medicine, University Hospital Waterford
Prof Conor Deasy, Consultant in Emergency Medicine, Cork University Hospital
Dr Chloe Doran (Trainee representative), Specialist Registrar in Emergency Medicine, Connolly Hospital, Blanchardstown, Dublin
Dr Kiren Govender, Consultant in Emergency Medicine, Portiuncula Hospital, Ballinasloe
Dr Laura Heffernan, Consultant in Emergency Medicine
Dr Carla Hopper, Consultant in Emergency Medicine, Midlands Regional Hospital, Tullamore
Dr Lizeri Jansen, Specialist Registrar in Paediatrics, University Hospital Limerick
Dr Aileen McCabe, Consultant in Emergency Medicine, Tallaght University Hospital, Dublin
Dr Victoria Meighan, Consultant in Emergency Medicine, Tallaght University Hospital, Dublin
Dr Laura Melody, Consultant in Paediatric Emergency Medicine, OLCHC, Dublin
Dr David Menzies, Consultant in Emergency Medicine, St. Vincent’s University Hospital, Dublin
Dr Gideon-Phil Meyer, Registrar in Emergency Medicine, University Hospital Limerick
Dr Áine Mitchell, Consultant in Emergency Medicine, Sligo University Hospital
Dr Tom Moore, Consultant in Emergency Medicine, St. James’s Hospital
Dr Ronan Murphy, Consultant in Emergency Medicine, St. James’s Hospital
Dr Jessica O’Connell, Locum Consultant in Emergency Medicine, Sligo University Hospital
Dr George-Lucian Obeada, Consultant in Emergency Medicine, Midlands Regional Hospital, Mullingar
Dr Deirdre Philbin, Consultant in Emergency Medicine, Beaumont Hospital, Dublin
Dr Saema Saeed, Specialist Registrar in Emergency Medicine, Tallaght University Hospital, Dublin

Latest IAEM Guideline: Tetralogy of Fallot: Emergency Management of Hypercyanotic “Tet” Spells (August 2024)

HSE Guidance: HSE Prescribing Guideline for Andexanet Alfa v1.0 (June 2023)

(Original document/updates are available at https://www.hse.ie/eng/about/who/acute-hospitals-division/drugs-management-programme/protocols/)

RCEM Guidance: RCEM guidance on Vaccine Induced Thrombosis and Thrombocytopenia (April 2021)

Interim Guidance: Escalation of Respiratory Support for Patients with Suspected COVID 19 (April 2020)

Trauma Teams: IAEM Trauma Team Position Paper (November 2020)

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IAEM Guidelines

CGC Guidelines – Adult

Resuscitation

Clinical Guideline	Status
Post Cardiac Arrest Care	Published June 2023
Emergency Intubation Guideline	Updated July 2020
Management of Patients with Tension Pneumothorax in the Emergency Department	Published January 2019
Procedural Sedation	Published June 2022
Traumadoc	Published October 2018
The use of Vasopressor Agents by Peripheral Intravenous Infusion in Adult Patients in the Emergency Department	Published February 2024

Injuries

Clinical Guideline	Status
Emergency Department Analgesia in Adults	Published July 2013
Bite Wound Management	Published November 2016
Emergency Department Management of Blunt Chest Wall Injuries	Published August 2021
Ultrasound-guided Erector Spinae Plane Block for the Management of Rib fractures in the Emergency Department	Published February 2023
Fascia Iliaca Compartment Block for Proximal Femur Fracture	Published November 2018
Management of Patients with Suspected Hip Fracture in the Emergency Department	Published September 2018
Peri-capsular Nerve Group (PENG) Block for the Management of Pain in Neck of Femur, Acetabular and Pubic Ramus Fractures	Published June 2023
Ultrasound guided serratus anterior plane block for the management of rib fractures	Published February 2020
Thomas Splint Application for Femoral Shaft Fractures in the Emergency Department	Published August 2023
Thromboprophylaxis in Lower Limb Immobilisation	Published April 2019
The Use of Tranexamic Acid in Trauma Patients	Published December 2015 Revised February 2021

Medical

Clinical Guideline	Status
Emergency Management of Anaphylaxis in Adult Patients	Published November 2022
Management of Acute Alcohol Withdrawal Syndrome in the Emergency Department	Published October 2019
Bell’s Palsy	Published October 2023
COVID-19 Guideline	Published March 2020
Management of Patients Presenting to the Emergency Department with Suspected Lower Limb Deep Vein Thrombosis	Published August 2021
Guideline for the Assessment and Management of Patients with Suspected or Confirmed Eating Disorders in the Emergency Department	Published October 2023
End of Life Care in the Emergency Department	Published July 2020
Management of Patients with Hypoglycaemia in the Emergency Department	Published June 2023
The Assessment and Management of Hyponatraemia in the Emergency Department	Published May 2024
Emergency Department Management of Patients with Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillators (ICDs)	Published June 2014
Management of Local Anaesthetic Systemic Toxicity (LAST) in the Emergency Department	Published April 2023
Management of Syncope in the Emergency Department	Published April 2019

Neurology

Clinical Guideline	Status
Management of First Seizure in Adults in the Emergency Department	Published July 2024
Serotonin Syndrome	Published April 2024

Obstetrics and Gynaecology

Clinical Guideline	Status
Management of Patients with Severe Pre-eclampsia and Eclampsia	Published November 2023

Procedures

Clinical Guideline	Status
Surgical Cricothyroidotomy in the Emergency Department	Published June 2024
Intraosseous Access in Adult Patients	Published July 2023
Nasogastric Tube Placement in Adult Patients in the Emergency Department	Published July 2023

Respiratory

Clinical Guideline	Status
Management of Acute Exacerbation of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease in the Emergency Department	Published May 2024

Surgical

Clinical Guideline	Status
Management of Patients with Acute Epididymo-orchitis in the Emergency Department	Published April 2021
Periorbital and Orbital Cellulitis (Adults and Paediatrics)	Published April 2022
Emergency Department Management of Renal Colic and Suspected Renal Calculus	Published May 2014
Testicular Torsion	Published August 2022
Acute Thoracic Aortic Dissection	Published February 2019

Toxicology

Clinical Guideline	Status
Acute Carbon Monoxide Poisoning	Published June 2023
Emergency Management of Histamine Fish Poisoning (Scombrotoxic Fish Poisoning, Scombroid, Pseudo Allergic Fish Poisoning, Mahi Mahi Flush) / Histamine Poisoning in Adult Patients	Published July 2023 Revised February 2024

Trauma

Management of Thermal, Chemical and Electrical Burns in the Emergency Department

Published August 2023

CGC Guidelines – Paediatric

Resuscitation

Clinical Guideline	Status
Management of Drowning in Children	Published December 2020

Analgesia

Clinical Guideline	Status
Intranasal Fentanyl Guidance for Paediatric Patients	Published June 2024
Pain Management in Paediatric Emergency Care	Published August 2020

Injuries

Clinical Guideline	Status
Foreign Bodies: The Emergency Department Management of Inhaled and Inserted Objects in Children	Published October 2018
Laundry detergent capsule ingestion	Published November 2016

Medical

Clinical Guideline	Status
Acute Otitis Media	Published April 2023
Bronchiolitis	Published November 2018
Paediatric Cervical Lymphadenopathy	Published February 2021
Evaluation and Management of Children Presenting with Chest Pain to the Emergency Department	Published November 2022
HHFNC in Bronchiolitis	Published October 2018
Henoch Schonlein Purpura	Published March 2018
Management of Laryngomalacia	Published November 2016
Paediatric Syncope	Published August 2018
Tetralogy of Fallot: Emergency Management of Hypercyanotic “Tet” Spells	Published August 2024
Emergency Management of Children Presenting with Acute Onset Torticollis	Published April 2021
Management of Vulvovaginitis	Published November 2016

Miscellaneous

Clinical Guideline	Status
The Limping Child	Published August 2023

Procedures

Clinical Guideline	Status
Paediatric Intraosseous Insertion	Published September 2023

Surgical

Clinical Guideline	Status
Periorbital and Orbital Cellulitis (Adults and Paediatrics)	Published April 2022
Testicular Torsion	Published August 2022

Trauma

Clinical Guideline	Status
Management of Paediatric Pulled Elbow	Published June 2024

IAEM Guideline QR Code Posters

Adult Guidelines

Paediatric Guidelines

International Guidance

Geriatric Emergency Medicine Care

GeriEM Europe Posters

Disclaimer

While IAEM takes every care to compile accurate information and to keep it up-to-date, we cannot guarantee its absolute correctness and completeness. The information provided on this website does not constitute business, medical or other professional advice and is subject to change. We cannot accept responsibility for any loss, damage or expense resulting from the use of this information or guidance. IAEM recognises that patients, their situations, Emergency Departments and staff all vary. These guidelines cannot cover all clinical scenarios. The ultimate responsibility for the interpretation and application of these guidelines, the use of current information and a patient’s overall care and wellbeing resides with the treating clinician.

IAEM uses a robust tool to assist in ensuring that its Clinical Guidelines are of the highest quality