Primary Care Guidance
Aim:
- To improve the diagnosis of infectious disease in primary care
- To improve use of the microbiology laboratory in primary care
-
To target the use of antibiotics and anti-fungals in primary care
Production:
- The templates have been produced in consultation with GPs and specialists in the field.
- They are in agreement with other guidance, including Prodigy, SIGN and NICE.
- The guidance is fully referenced and graded.
- The guidance is not all-encompassing, as it is meant to be quick reference.
- If more detail is required we suggest referral to the websites and references quoted.
- The guidance is updated annually.
Local adaptation:
- The guidance will need to be taken forward in collaboration between laboratories, PCTs and secondary care providers.
- Recommendations can be changed to suit local service delivery and sampling protocols.
- Change in laboratory use may increase or decrease laboratory workload and have financial implications for laboratories and Primary Care Trusts (PCTs).
Your feedback:
- We welcome, in fact encourage, opinions on the advice given and future topics we should cover.
- Comments should be submitted to Dr Cliodna McNulty, Head, HPA Primary Care Unit, Microbiology Laboratory, Gloucestershire Royal Hospital, Great Western Road, Gloucester GL1 3NN. Email: jill.whiting@hpa.org.uk
Guidelines for primary care (including diagnosis - quick reference guides)
Antibiotic Guidance and References
Last reviewed: June 2008
Chlamydia
Last reviewed: 25/07/08
The Chlamydia Problem - Increasing Awareness
Last reviewed on 09/02/05
Infectious Diarrhoea
Last reviewed:13/12/07
Helicobacter Pylori
Last reviewed: 04/09/08
Helicobacter business case
Last reviewed: 15/05/07
Meticillin Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA)
Last reviewed: 05/09/07
UTI (Urinary Tract Infection)
Last reviewed: December 2006
Vaginal Discharge
Last reviewed: 15/05/07
Vaginal Discharge / Vaginitis diagnosis - Quick Reference Guide (Rich text format, 1.5 MB)
Vaginal Discharge / Vaginitis diagnosis - Quick Reference Guide (PDF, 112 KB)
Venous Leg Ulcers: Infection Diagnosis & Microbiology Investigation
Last reviewed: 07/09/06
Venous Leg Ulcers: Infection Diagnosis & Microbiology Investigation - Quick Reference Guide (Rich text format, 118 KB)
Venous Leg Ulcers: Infection Diagnosis & Microbiology Investigation - Quick Reference Guide (PDF, 118 KB)

Chlamydia diagnosis Quick Reference Guide (Word Document, 192 KB)
Chlamydia Workshop: The Chlamydia Problem - Increasing Awareness (PowerPoint Presentation, 438 KB)