Feature / NICE UPDATE

Clinical guidelines

CG128 Autism spectrum disorders in children and young people – Expert opinion indicates a wide variation in current practice for the recognition, referral and diagnosis of autism in children. This means it is not possible to quantify any costs and savings. Cost impact is expected to vary widely according to current local practice and the action needed to implement the recommendations. Areas that may need considering locally include thecreation of a local multidisciplinary autism team, with a single point of contact for referrals and a potential increase in referrals and assessments. This is discussed in more detail in a costing statement.

CG129 Multiple pregnancy: the management of twin and triplet pregnancies in the antenatal period – Variation in practice and a lack of detailed data means it is not possible to quantify, and a costing statement discusses areas to be considered locally. It is considered that improving the care in the antenatal period should reduce the number of pre- term births, or delay birth to closer to due dates and reduce neonatal complications, leading to savings through avoiding or reducing the need for neonatal specialist care.

Medical technology guidance (issued in late August)

MTG7 Inditherm patient warming mattress for the prevention of inadvertent hypothermia – This technology complements previous NICE guidance on inadvertent perioperative hypothermia (CG65). The use of the device has been estimated to reduce costs on equipment and surgical site infections, in total saving £16.6m.

This update was prepared by Jennifer Field, NICE associate director (costing and commissioning)