- UK guidelines state that all patients with acute severe pancreatitis should be managed on the high dependency unit (HDU):
- Can be difficult in practice – ensure all referred to the critical care outreach team for regular review and escalation of care if deterioration occurs
- Particular features which suggest critical care admission may be beneficial include:
- Age 70 years or older (1)
- Body mass index over 30 kg/m2 (1)
- Hypotension not responsive to fluid resuscitation (1)
- >30% necrosis of the pancreas (1)
- Pleural effusions (1)
- Three or more of Ranson’s criteria (1)
- CRP > 150 mg/L at 48 hours(1)
(Adapted from World Association Guidelines)