Coding COVID-19: standardising data for better monitoring

Standardising the codes used in computerised medical records is key for accurate surveillance of the COVID-19 pandemic. Here, de Lusignan and Williams outline best practice for primary care professionals: the clinical concepts to be recorded, the temporary codes that are currently in use, and the definitive codes that will be rolled out to replace them in April 2020.

Should chloroquine and hydroxychloroquine be used to treated COVID-19?

As the COVID-19 public health emergency continues, the race is on to find effective treatments. This rapid review examines the evidence on chloroquine and hydroxychloroquine for treatment of COVID-19 infection. The findings suggest limited empirical evidence to justify the use of these drugs at present and highlight the need for urgent clinical trials that include both medium and long-term follow-up.

National Early Warning Scores

A retrospective service evaluation of transfers from the community to secondary care across two major hospitals shows that NEWS scores could be strong indicator of adverse outcomes.