New national pathway launched for Cauda Equina Syndrome

Pathway supports clinicians to diagnose and treat syndrome without delay - join the webinar on 2 March

Published: 23 February 2023 Imaging

A new national pathway helping clinicians to better diagnose and care for patients with suspected Cauda Equina Syndrome (CES) is now available from the Getting It Right First Time (GIRFT) team.

GIRFT worked collaboratively with a multidisciplinary group of more than 60 healthcare professionals to develop the interactive pathway, designed to support teams in England to diagnose and treat the condition without delay.

It offers best practice along all stages of the pathway, from presentation to GP or in the community through to post-operative care. It is supported by detailed guidance, including best practice for referrals and imaging, surgical techniques and pain control.

The resources were developed in collaboration with the former Best MSK Health improvement programme and are co-badged by 11 professional bodies, including the SoR. They are closely aligned to the new Clinical Imaging Board’s guidance on MRI provision for Cauda Equina Syndrome.

Join the CES webinar

GIRFT is running a webinar on 2 March 2023 (1pm - 2.15pm) to discuss the stages of the pathway and to allow clinicians to ask questions. Speakers will include Rachel Watt, MRI radiographer, representing the Society and College of Radiographers. Register here.

GIRFT is a national programme designed to improve the treatment and care of patients through in-depth review of services, benchmarking, and presenting a data-driven evidence base to support change.

The programme undertakes clinically-led reviews of specialties, combining wide-ranging data analysis with the input and professional knowledge of senior clinicians to examine how things are currently being done and how they could be improved.

CES pathway: https://gettingitrightfirsttime.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/National-Suspected-Cauda-Equina-Pathway-February-2023-FINAL-V1.html

CES pathway guidance: https://gettingitrightfirsttime.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/National-Suspected-Cauda-Equina-Pathway-February-2023-FINAL-V1-1.pdf

Image: AWelshLad/iStock/Getty Images Plus