A new GIRFT pathway for patients aged over 16 presenting with transient loss of consciousness (TLoC, or blackouts) is now available.
Co-badged by the Royal College of Emergency Medicine (RCEM) and the Society for Acute Medicine (SAM), and approved by the Association of British Neurologists (ABN), the pathway guides clinical teams through best practice for all stages of the patient pathway, from initial triage to assessment and investigation (if required), to help support risk stratification.
TLoC is a common occurrence, affecting up to half the population in the UK at some point in their lives. It can be a spontaneous loss of consciousness with complete recovery, but other causes of TLoC include cardiovascular disorders and neurological conditions such as epilepsy.
The new GIRFT pathway includes guidance for carrying out a structured TLoC assessment, details of cardiac red flags, advice for recording a 12-lead ECG and an assessment of neurological, vasovagal, postural, or other non-cardiac causes of TLoC.
The pathway has been co-authored by Peter Williams (GIRFT clinical advisor for acute medicine) and Leilah Dare (GIRFT clinical advisor for emergency medicine).
