AN updated guideline on emergency treatment of patients with eating disorders has been published by The Royal College of Psychiatrists.
The launch comes after recent reports that hospital admissions for eating disorders have risen by 84 per cent in the last five years, with those of children and adolescents for eating disorders rising 35 per cent in the last year alone.
The updated Medical Emergencies in Eating Disorders (MEED) replaces the old ‘Marsipan’ guidance and was developed by a cross-specialty group. It includes a new checklist to help guide assessment and a summary sheet for Emergency Department professionals: Guidance on Recognising and Managing Medical Emergencies in Eating Disorders.
The college commented: "Unfortunately, signs of severe illness in patients with eating disorders can be easily missed leading to harm and sometimes death of patients. It is crucial that emergency medicine staff are mindful of patients with eating disorders and are aware of the signs and symptoms of severe illness."
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