The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) guideline on gastroenteritis in small children provides guidance for remote assessment of the patient. Many young children with gastroenteritis can be managed at home.
Patient selection: young child under 5 years of age with gastroenteritis
Parents and caregivers of a young child with gastroenteritis should:
(1) be educated about signs and symptoms indicative of more severe disease ("red flag symptoms")
(2) be instructed about when to get help from an appropriate healthcare professional
(3) be given instructions on how to manage the child
A face-to-face clinical assessment should be performed:
(1) immediately if there are signs of shock or other red flag symptoms
(2) if there are symptoms suggesting an alternative serious diagnosis
(3) if there is high risk for or symptoms of clinical dehydration
(4) if there are social circumstances that make remote assessment unreliable
In the absence of these findings remote assessment is often appropriate for the patient.
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