RHEUMATIC FEVER AND RHEUMATIC HEART DISEASES

SERVICE DESCRIPTION

Rheumatic fever can have serious cardiac complications and can be prevented by active treatment of throat infections and prophylactic penicillin of known cases.

NORMS

Young child curative care will be provided daily by clinics using an integrated approach to childhood illness.

STANDARDS
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  1. References prints and educational material.

1.1 National Guidelines on primary prevention and Prophylaxis of rheumatic fever and rhuematic Heart Disease
1.2 Current protocols on rheumatic fever and its primary and secondary prevention.
1.3 Suitable library of reference and journals on rheumatic fever.

  1. Equipment

2.1

  1. Medicines and Supplies

3.1 As per EDL

  1. Competence of Health Staff

4.1 Staff are able to

4.1.1 Suspect streptococcal infection of the throat following a complaint of acute sore throat with the finding of pharyngeal exudate and tender cervical glands.
4.1.2 Suspect and refer acute rheumatic fever by recognition of polyarthritis, heart murmur, arthralgia, fever, erythema marginatum, chorea, subcutaneous nodule, history of sore throat in last month or previous rheumatic heart disease.
4.1.3 Recognise and refer possible rheumatic disease by murmurs and previous history.
4.1.4 After definitive diagnosis in hospital and notification ensure patient receives prophylactic treatment.

  1. Referrals

5.1

  1. Patient Education

6.1 Patient and their families receive education on the disease, its effect on the heart and the need for continued prophylaxis.

  1. Records

7.1 Acute Rheumatic Fever is a notifiable disease
7.2 Records are kept according to protocol.
7.3 Register of patients who receive monthly (or 3 weekly) penicillin is accurate and up to date.
7.4 Register and record of patients on regular prophylaxis after a first attack kept for at least five years.

  1. Community and Home Based Activity

8.1 Health education and information with other childhood diseases campaigns

  1. Collaboration

9.1 The clinic collaborate with other health workers e.g. school health nurses and community groups.

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