Guideline resources
This page brings together the suite of resources that has been produced to help disseminate and promote the uptake of the IBS guideline. Specific documents and resources are also referred to in the relevant sections within this resource.
Some of the documents below are in PDF - see how to access PDF files.
Guideline documents
The guideline and associated documents are at NICE (2008) clinical guideline CG61: Irritable bowel syndrome in adults.
The guideline information is available in various versions:
- Full guidance - full report with methodology, findings and recommendations.
- NICE guidance - abridged version of full report. This is also available in a web-based html format.
- Quick reference guide - a summary of the recommendations NICE has made to the NHS (document currently unavailable).
- IBS: understanding NICE guidance - the version for patients and carers. This is also available in word.
Please note that additional information given on the NICE CG61 page is as follows: "Recommendation 1.1.1.3 in this guideline has been partially updated by recommendation 1.1.2.1 in Ovarian cancer (NICE clinical guideline 122; published April 2011)."
NICE Pathways: Irritable bowel syndrome in adults overview
NICE Pathways provide fast access to the NICE guidance and associated products on a particular topics as they bring together all related NICE products. The pathways are particularly useful as a starting-point for those new to a topic. This Pathway covers the diagnosis and management of irritable bowel syndrome in primary care - see: NICE Pathways: Irritable bowel syndrome in adults overview
Implementation materials
- Algorithm - provides a visual map of the irritable bowel syndrome care pathway contained within the NICE clinical guideline.
- Audit support - based on key recommendations of the guidance, including criteria and data collection tools. This material has been developed to support the implementation of the NICE guidance in order to help organisations with a baseline assessment and to assist with the audit process, helping to ensure that practice is in line with NICE recommendations.
- Costing report and costing template - a costing report and template have been produced by NICE to provide implementation tools to consider the financial impact of implementing the clinical guideline. The costing report focuses on the recommendations that require most change in resources to implement in England. The costing template is also available as an Excel spreadsheet.
- Dietary information resource - this resource has been developed jointly by NICE and the British Dietetic Association and complements the recommendations on diet within the guideline. It is intended to provide an accessible source of IBS related dietary information.
- Online educational tool - interactive modules developed by NICE in partnership with BMJ Learning.
- Presenter slides - a set of PowerPoint slides which can be used for disseminating information about guidance and for training purposes.
Guideline review 2011
A review of the guideline undertaken in 2011 reached the conclusion that an update of the guideline was not required at that time. A document outlining the factors that influenced this decision which included results of a literature search, consultation with the Guideline Development Group and feedback from stakeholders, is available on the NICE website at CG61 Irritable bowel syndrome: review decision.
Further details of the process and its findings are available in the CG61 Irritable bowel syndrome: consultation document.
The next review date is July 2014.
Related resources
Principles of Nursing Practice
The Principles of Nursing Practice articulate what can be expected of nursing in any setting regardless of provider, and were developed with a range of stakeholders, including nurses, patients and service users. As such they are very relevant to the effective uptake of clinical guidelines, and it is important to consider and incorporate all of the Principles as part of the implementation process. This resource provides information about the Principles including how they are used to support quality improvement initiatives.
Bear in mind also that using clinical guidelines is important in supporting the implementation of the Principles. In particular there are clear links between use of clinical guidelines and Principle F (awareness and appropriate use of up to date evidence) as well as Principle G (ensuring that patients' care is co-ordinated and of a high standard. Visit the Principles.