Clinical Transparency

Clinical Standards & Sources

Every piece of clinical content in FieldMedic is benchmarked against published UK and international medical guidelines. This page documents the sources behind all 128 conditions and 41 medications in the app.

Guidelines & References
FieldMedic's clinical content is developed and benchmarked against the following authoritative published guidelines. Where guidance differs between sources, the most conservative or most recently updated recommendation is followed.
BNF
British National Formulary
The UK's primary reference for prescribing, dispensing, and administering medicines. Primary source for all drug dosing, interactions, contraindications, and pregnancy safety in FieldMedic.
Drug dosingInteractionsContraindicationsPregnancy safety
bnf.nice.org.uk ↗
NICE
National Institute for Health and Care Excellence
UK national clinical guidelines covering condition management, antibiotic prescribing, and treatment pathways. Used for condition protocols, antibiotic selection, and evacuation criteria throughout the app.
Condition protocolsAntibiotic prescribingClinical pathways
nice.org.uk/guidance ↗
JRCALC
Joint Royal Colleges Ambulance Liaison Committee
UK pre-hospital and remote emergency care clinical practice guidelines. Primary source for first aid protocols, trauma management, triage, and field assessment tools including NEWS2.
Pre-hospital careTraumaTriageNEWS2
jrcalc.org.uk ↗
WMS
Wilderness Medical Society
International consensus guidelines for wilderness and expedition medicine. Primary source for altitude illness, cold injury, heat illness, marine envenomation, and remote environment protocols.
Altitude medicineCold injuryHeat illnessMarine injuries
wms.org/guidelines ↗
RCUK
Resuscitation Council UK
UK guidelines for resuscitation, anaphylaxis, and advanced life support. Primary source for CPR protocols, AED use, anaphylaxis management, and choking algorithms.
CPRAnaphylaxisALSChoking
resus.org.uk/guidelines-2025 ↗
ATLS
Advanced Trauma Life Support (ACS)
International trauma care standard published by the American College of Surgeons. Primary source for trauma assessment, haemorrhage control, spinal injury, and major incident management.
Trauma assessmentHaemorrhageSpinal injuryMajor incident
facs.org/atls ↗
WHO
World Health Organization
International clinical guidelines, particularly for tropical and infectious diseases. Primary source for malaria treatment, rabies post-exposure prophylaxis, snake bite management, and cholera.
Tropical diseaseRabies PEPSnake biteCholera
who.int/publications ↗
NaTHNaC
National Travel Health Network and Centre
UK national guidance for travel and expedition health. Primary source for travellers' diarrhoea management, tropical infection treatment, and infectious disease protocols.
Travellers' diarrhoeaTropical infectionsTravel health
travelhealthpro.org.uk ↗
MHRA
Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency
UK medicines regulator. Drug safety updates referenced include: codeine in pregnancy (2013), loperamide QT risk (2017), antibiotic-contraceptive interaction reclassification (2011).
Drug safety updatesRegulatory guidance
gov.uk/mhra ↗
BTS / NICE NG244
British Thoracic Society / NICE Asthma Guidelines
Current UK asthma management guidelines (2024 update). Source for salbutamol dosing technique, stepwise management, and severity classification used in the asthma condition entry.
AsthmaBronchodilator dosing
nice.org.uk/ng244 ↗
UKTIS
UK Teratology Information Service
UK specialist resource for medicines in pregnancy. Used to verify and nuance pregnancy safety classifications for azithromycin, loratadine, omeprazole, metronidazole, nitrofurantoin, and prednisolone.
Medicines in pregnancy
uktis.org ↗
BOAST / BOA
British Orthopaedic Association Standards
UK orthopaedic trauma standards. Source for open fracture antibiotic timing (BOAST 4, 2020 — antibiotics within 1 hour for significantly contaminated wounds) and fracture management protocols.
Open fracturesOrthopaedic trauma
boa.ac.uk/boasts ↗
Conditions — Source by Category
Every condition in FieldMedic is listed below with its primary clinical source. Where multiple guidelines were consulted, the most authoritative or most recently updated source is listed. All sources are publicly available.
First Aid
18 conditions
ConditionSeverityPrimary SourceGuideline Reference
AED UseLifeRCUKResuscitation Guidelines 2025
Ankle InjuriesMonitorNICE NG38NICE NG38 — Fractures (non-complex); Ottawa Ankle Rules
Basic Life Support (CPR)LifeRCUKResuscitation Guidelines 2025
BurnsUrgentSAGEBritish Burns Association — National Burn Care Standards
Finger Injuries and DislocationsMonitorNICE NG38NICE NG38 — Fractures (non-complex)
Foot Care and BlistersFieldDTICWMS Wilderness Medicine CPG
FracturesUrgentNICE NG38NICE NG38 — Fractures (non-complex)
Improvised Stretcher and CarryUrgentRCUKRCUK First Aid Guidelines 2025
Mammal BitesUrgentNICE NG184NICE NG184 — Human and Animal Bites
Oxygen Therapy (Field)UrgentBTSBTS Oxygen Guidelines 2017
Patient Assessment (AMPLE History)FieldRCUKRCUK First Aid Guidelines 2025
Primary Survey (DRcABCDE)UrgentRCUKRCUK First Aid Guidelines 2025
Recovery PositionUrgentRCUKRCUK First Aid Guidelines 2025
Shoulder DislocationUrgentNICE NG38NICE NG38 — Fractures (non-complex)
Soft Tissue Injuries and SprainsFieldNICE NG38NICE NG38 — Fractures (non-complex)
Tick BiteMonitorNICE NG95NICE NG95 — Lyme Disease (21-day doxycycline)
Wound CareFieldRCUKRCUK First Aid Guidelines 2025
Wound Irrigation TechniqueFieldNICE NG184NICE NG184 — Human and Animal Bites (wound irrigation)
Medical Emergencies
28 conditions
ConditionSeverityPrimary SourceGuideline Reference
Acute Abdominal PainUrgentNICE CKSNICE CKS Abdominal Pain
Analgesic Ladder (Pain Management)FieldWHO
BNF
WHO Analgesic Ladder; NICE NG193 — Chronic Pain
AnaphylaxisLifeRCUKRCUK Anaphylaxis Guidelines 2021
Angina PectorisUrgentNICE NG185NICE NG185 — Chest Pain
Asthma AttackUrgentNICE NG80BTS/NICE NG244 Asthma Guidelines 2024
Chest Infection / PneumoniaUrgentNICE NG250NICE NG250 — Pneumonia in Adults
Choking — AdultLifeRCUKRCUK First Aid Guidelines 2025
Choking — InfantLifeRCUKRCUK First Aid Guidelines 2025
COPD ExacerbationUrgentNICE NG115NICE NG115 — COPD
Dental Abscess / ToothacheMonitorSDCEPSDCEP Drug Prescribing for Dentistry
Diarrhoea and VomitingMonitorNICE CKSNICE CG84 — Diarrhoea and Vomiting
Ectopic PregnancyLifeNICE NG126RCOG; NICE NG126 — Ectopic Pregnancy
Head Injury and ConcussionUrgentNICE NG232NICE NG232 — Head Injury
HeadacheMonitorNICE NG12NICE NG12 — Suspected Cancer (headache red flags)
Heart Attack (MI)LifeNICE NG185NICE NG185; ESC ACS Guidelines 2023
Hyperglycaemia / DKAUrgentNICE NG18
JBDS
NICE NG18 — Diabetes; JBDS-IP DKA Guidelines
HypoglycaemiaUrgentNICE NG18
BNF
NICE NG18 — Diabetes; BNF Glucagon
MeningitisLifeNICE NG240NICE NG240 — Meningitis and Meningococcal Disease
Mild Allergic ReactionMonitorRCUKRCUK Anaphylaxis / Allergic Reaction Guidelines
Palpitations / Irregular HeartbeatMonitorNICE NG196NICE NG196 — Atrial Fibrillation
Panic Attack / HyperventilationMonitorNICE CG113NICE CG113 — Anxiety and Panic Disorder
Peritonsillar Abscess (Quinsy)UrgentNICE NG84NICE NG84 — Sore Throat (peritonsillar abscess)
Pulmonary EmbolismLifeNICE NG158NICE NG158 — Venous Thromboembolism
Seizures and FaintsUrgentNICE NG217NICE NG217 — Epilepsy
SepsisLifeNICE NG253NICE NG253 — Sepsis (November 2025)
Sore Throat / TonsillitisFieldNICE NG84NICE NG84 — Sore Throat (phenoxymethylpenicillin first-line)
Stroke and TIALifeNICE NG128NICE NG128 — Stroke and TIA
Urinary Tract InfectionMonitorNICE NG109NICE NG109 — UTI in Adults (3-day trimethoprim)
Trauma
19 conditions
ConditionSeverityPrimary SourceGuideline Reference
Blast / Explosion InjuryLifeNICE NG39ATLS 10th Edition; NATO Emergency War Surgery
C-Spine ImmobilisationUrgentNICE NG41NICE NG41 — Major Trauma; NEXUS Criteria
Chest TraumaLifeNICE NG39NICE NG39 — Major Trauma
Compartment SyndromeLifeNICE NG38NICE NG38 — Fractures (non-complex)
Femoral FractureLifeNICE NG38NICE NG38 — Fractures (non-complex)
Hand and Wrist InjuriesMonitorNICE NG38NICE NG38 — Fractures (non-complex)
Jaw ThrustLifeRCUKRCUK Resuscitation Guidelines 2025
Knee InjuriesMonitorNICE NG38NICE NG38 — Fractures (non-complex); Ottawa Knee Rules
METHANE Major Incident ReportUrgentJESIPJESIP Joint Doctrine
Open (Compound) FractureUrgentNICE NG37BOAST 4 Open Fractures 2020 (antibiotics within 1 hour)
Pelvic InjuryLifeNICE NG39NICE NG39 — Major Trauma
PneumothoraxLifeBTSBTS Pleural Disease Guidelines; NICE NG39
Rib FracturesUrgentNICE NG39ATLS; NICE NG39
ShockLifeNICE NG39NICE NG39 — Major Trauma
Spinal Injury (Thoracic / Lumbar)UrgentNICE NG41NICE NG41 — Major Trauma; NEXUS Criteria
Stop the Bleed / Haemorrhage ControlLifeRCUKRCUK First Aid Guidelines 2025 — Haemorrhage Control
The Lethal TriadLifeNICE NG39ATLS 10th Edition — Damage Control Resuscitation
Triage (Mass Casualty)UrgentNICE NG39NICE NG39 — Major Trauma; JESIP Triage
Wound Infection / CellulitisUrgentNICE NG141NICE NG141 — Cellulitis and Erysipelas
Environmental Emergencies
25 conditions
ConditionSeverityPrimary SourceGuideline Reference
Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS)MonitorDOIWMS Altitude Illness Guidelines 2019
Cold Water ImmersionLifeDOIWMS Submersion Guidelines; RNLI Float to Live
Coral CutsMonitorDOIWMS Marine Injuries Guidelines
Decompression IllnessUrgentDMACDivers Alert Network Guidelines; WMS
DehydrationMonitorNICE NG29NICE CG84 — Diarrhoea and Vomiting
DrowningLifeWMSWMS 2024 Drowning Guidelines Summary
Exercise-Associated HyponatraemiaUrgentDOIWMS EAH Guidelines 2020
Exertional Heat StrokeLifeDOIWMS Heat Illness Guidelines 2023
FrostbiteUrgentDOIWMS Cold Injury Guidelines 2024 (Cauchy grading)
Frostbite — Grading and ManagementUrgentDOIWMS Cold Injury Guidelines 2024; Cauchy Classification
FrostnipMonitorDOIWMS Cold Injury Guidelines 2019
Heat ExhaustionUrgentDOIWMS Heat Illness Guidelines 2023
High Altitude Cerebral Oedema (HACE)LifeDOIWMS Altitude Illness Guidelines 2019
High Altitude CoughMonitorDOIWMS Altitude Illness Guidelines 2019
High Altitude Pulmonary Oedema (HAPE)LifeDOIWMS Altitude Illness Guidelines 2019
High Altitude Retinal HaemorrhageUrgentDOIWMS Altitude Illness Guidelines 2019
HypothermiaUrgentDOIWMS Hypothermia Guidelines 2019
Insect Sting / BiteFieldNICE CG134RCUK Anaphylaxis Guidelines — Insect Sting Reactions
Jellyfish and Marine StingsMonitorDANWMS Marine Envenomation Guidelines; AWMSM
Lightning StrikeLifeDOI
OUP
WMS Lightning Guidelines; Cooper et al.
Non-Freezing Cold Injury (Trench Foot)MonitorDOIWMS Cold Injury Guidelines 2019
Overexertion / Exercise-Induced CollapseUrgentDOIWMS Heat Illness Guidelines 2023
SeasicknessMonitorBNFBNF 2025; NICE CKS Motion Sickness
Severe SunburnMonitorBBABritish Burns Association — National Burn Care Standards
Tropical Skin ConditionsMonitorWHOWMS Tropical Medicine Guidelines
Tropical Medicine
18 conditions
ConditionSeverityPrimary SourceGuideline Reference
BrucellosisMonitorWHOWHO Brucellosis Guidelines; NICE CKS
ChikungunyaMonitorWHONaTHNaC Chikungunya Guidelines
CholeraUrgentWHOWHO Cholera Guidelines
Dengue FeverUrgentWHOWHO Dengue Guidelines; NaTHNaC
DiphtheriaUrgentWHOWHO Diphtheria Guidelines
EncephalitisLifeWHOWHO Encephalitis Fact Sheet
Giardia / Intestinal ParasitesMonitorWHONICE CKS Giardiasis
HepatitisMonitorWHO
WHO
NICE CKS Hepatitis
LeishmaniasisMonitorWHOWHO Leishmaniasis Guidelines; PHE Guidelines
Leptospirosis (Weil's Disease)UrgentWHOUKHSA Leptospirosis Guidelines; NaTHNaC
MalariaUrgentWHO
UKHSA 2024
WHO Malaria; UKHSA 2024 Malaria Prevention Guidelines
Rabies ExposureUrgentWHOWHO Rabies Vaccines Position Paper 2018
Schistosomiasis (Bilharzia)MonitorWHONICE CKS Schistosomiasis; PHE Guidelines
Snake BiteUrgentWHO
WHO IRIS
WHO Snake Bite Management Guidelines 2010
Typhoid FeverUrgentWHOWHO Typhoid Guidelines; NaTHNaC
Wound Myiasis (Botfly)MonitorWHONaTHNaC Myiasis Guidelines; WMS
Yellow FeverUrgentWHOWHO Yellow Fever Guidelines
Zika VirusMonitorWHOCDC Zika Guidelines 2023; NaTHNaC
Specialist Areas
14 conditions
ConditionSeverityPrimary SourceGuideline Reference
Abscess and FuruncleMonitorNICE NG141NICE CKS Boils, Carbuncles and Staphylococcal Skin
Central Retinal Artery Occlusion (CRAO)UrgentRCEMRCEM Learning — Sudden Visual Loss: CRAO
Dental EmergenciesMonitorSDCEPSDCEP; IADT Dental Trauma Guidelines
Ear ProblemsMonitorNICE NG91NICE NG91 — Otitis Media (amoxicillin first-line)
Eye InfectionsMonitorNICE CKSNICE CKS — Conjunctivitis (Infective)
Eye TraumaUrgentNICE NG81Royal College of Ophthalmologists — Acute Eye Emergencies
Foreign Body (Wound / Eye / Ear)MonitorNICE NG184NICE NG184 — Human and Animal Bites (wound/foreign body)
Genitourinary Trauma and IssuesUrgentNICE NG39BAUS — Testicular Torsion Guidelines; NICE CKS
Menstrual Health on ExpeditionFieldNICE NG88FSRH CEU Guidance — Hormonal Contraception 2015
Mental Health and WellbeingMonitorNICE NG222NICE NG222 — Depression in Adults
Nosebleed (Epistaxis)MonitorNICE CKSNICE CKS Epistaxis; ENT UK Guidelines (soft cartilaginous lower nose)
Snow Blindness (UV Keratitis)MonitorDOIWMS Altitude Illness Guidelines 2019 (UV Keratitis)
Tropical Skin Infections and RashesMonitorWHONICE NG153 — Impetigo 2020 (hydrogen peroxide 1% first-line)
Urinary RetentionUrgentNICE CKSNICE CKS — Urinary Retention
Drug Source References
All 41 medications in FieldMedic are referenced against the BNF and relevant NICE guidelines. Dosing, interactions, contraindications, and pregnancy safety classifications are verified against current BNF entries. MHRA drug safety updates are incorporated where applicable.
DrugCategoryPrimary SourceKey Guideline Notes
Acetazolamide (Diamox)AltitudeBNF
DOI
125mg BD prevention; 250mg BD treatment per WMS 2019
Adrenaline (EpiPen / 1:1000)EmergencyBNF
RCUK
EpiPen 0.3mg fixed; manual IM 0.5mg — clearly distinguished
Amoxicillin 500mgAntibioticBNFOCP interaction removed per MHRA 2011; glandular fever warning present
Aspirin 300mgCardiac EmergencyBNF
NICE NG185
MI (300mg chewed); Migraine (900mg orally). Covers updated to include headache and migraine.
Azithromycin 500mgAntibioticBNFPregnancy: Category B — safe when indicated (UKTIS)
Benzylpenicillin 2g IMAntibioticBNFPre-hospital meningitis backup; 2g every 4h if evacuation delayed
Ceftriaxone 2g IMAntibioticBNFMeningitis: 2g BD (every 12h) — corrected from once daily
Cephalexin 500mgAntibioticBNFTCCC 2024 — replaces Moxifloxacin for wound/skin infection; added for severe UTI and pyelonephritis
Chloramphenicol Eye OintmentOphthalmicBNFTopical use; 4-6 hourly application
Ciprofloxacin 500mgAntibioticBNFMHRA 2024: second-line only when first-line agents contraindicated or failed. Marine wounds (Vibrio/Pseudomonas), severe travellers' diarrhoea.
Co-amoxiclav 625mgAntibioticBNFOCP interaction removed per MHRA Drug Safety Update Oct 2011
Co-codamol 30/500mgPain ReliefBNFMHRA 2013 codeine guidance; avoid in pregnancy
Cyclizine 50mgAntiemeticBNFUrinary retention / BPH contraindication included
DexamethasoneAltitude / SteroidBNF
DOI
HACE: 8mg initial then 4mg every 6h per WMS 2019
Dextrose Gel 40% (Glucogel)Emergency / HypoglycaemiaBNF
Doxycycline 100mgAntibioticBNFLyme disease 21 days per NICE NG95; 200mg loading dose for chest/systemic infections. OCP interaction removed MHRA 2011.
Flucloxacillin 500mgAntibioticBNFFirst-line for cellulitis; empty stomach dosing correct
Fusidic Acid 2% CreamDermatologyBNF
Glucagon 1mg IMDiabetic EmergencyBNFLess effective in starvation / alcohol — correctly noted
GTN SprayCardiacBNFSildenafil 24h / tadalafil 48h contraindication
Hydrocortisone 100mg IV/IMSteroidBNFFor severe asthma when oral prednisolone not possible
IbuprofenPain Relief / Anti-inflammatoryBNFNSAID-exacerbated respiratory disease contraindication included
Loperamide (Imodium) 2mgAntidiarrhoealBNFMHRA 2017 QT warning at high doses; age restriction <12 (MHRA 2023)
Loratadine 10mgAntihistamineBNFPregnancy: Category B — safe when indicated (UKTIS)
Malaria RDT (Rapid Diagnostic Test)DiagnosticsWHO
Malarone (Atovaquone/Proguanil)AntimalarialUKHSA 2024UKHSA 2024 malaria prevention guidelines. Avoid for treatment if used for prophylaxis on same trip.
Meloxicam 15mgPain Relief / NSAIDBNFTCCC 2024 walking wounded protocol; once-daily NSAID. Step-down to 7.5mg when pain improves.
Metronidazole 400mgAntibioticBNFAvoid 1st trimester if possible; generally acceptable 2nd/3rd trimester
Nifedipine 20mg MRAltitudeBNF
DOI
HAPE: 20mg MR every 8h per WMS 2019
Nitrofurantoin 100mgAntibioticBNF3-day course for modified-release formulation per NICE NG109. Trimester guidance: avoid 1st trimester and at term; OK 2nd trimester.
NorethisteroneHormonalBNFFSRH CEU Guidance 2015; 5mg TDS from 3 days before period
Omeprazole 20-40mgGastricBNFPregnancy: acceptable when indicated (UKTIS)
Oral Rehydration Salts (ORS)RehydrationWHOWHO ORT formula; improvised recipe verified
ParacetamolPain ReliefBNFStandard dosing; weight-adjusted (>50kg / <50kg)
Penthrox (Methoxyflurane)Analgesic (inhaled)BNF3ml max; 6ml/day; 15ml/week per SmPC
Prednisolone 40mgSteroidBNFAcceptable in pregnancy when benefit outweighs risk (RCOG)
Prochlorperazine (Buccastem)AntiemeticBNFBuccal route useful when vomiting; avoid in pregnancy
Riamet / Coartem (Artemether/Lumefantrine)AntimalarialBNF
Salbutamol InhalerRespiratoryBNF
NICE NG80
1 puff at a time via spacer per BTS/NICE 2024
Scopolamine Patch (Kwells)Nausea / Motion SicknessBNF
Trimethoprim 200mgAntibioticBNF3-day course per NICE NG109 (not 7 days)

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Important — Clinical Reference Tool

FieldMedic is a clinical reference tool intended exclusively for use by trained medical professionals, expedition medics, wilderness first responders, and remote medical officers with appropriate qualifications for their intended scope of practice. By using FieldMedic, you confirm you meet these criteria.

FieldMedic is not a medical device as defined by the UK Medical Devices Regulations 2002 or EU Medical Device Regulation 2017/745. It does not perform diagnosis, prescribe treatment, identify causes of symptoms with clinical certainty, or replace the professional judgement of a qualified clinician. References to "likely cause" or "possible cause" in the symptom checker are pattern-matching outputs based on user-entered information — they are not diagnoses and must not be treated as such.

All clinical content — including drug doses, management protocols, evacuation criteria, and drug interactions — is provided for reference only and must be independently verified against authoritative sources (including the BNF, relevant NICE guidelines, and manufacturer information) before any clinical intervention. Clinical content has been developed in good faith against the authoritative published guidelines listed on this page. Despite systematic review, medical guidance changes frequently and errors may exist. All protocols and drug information must be verified by a qualified expedition doctor with knowledge of the specific patient, environment, and context before operational use.

The developer accepts no liability for any direct, indirect, incidental, or consequential loss or damage arising from use of, or reliance on, content within this app or website, to the maximum extent permitted by applicable law. Users are responsible for ensuring they have the training, competence, and authority to apply any clinical intervention described. Nothing in this disclaimer excludes liability for death or personal injury caused by negligence, or any other liability that cannot be excluded under applicable law.

In any emergency where professional medical help is available, contact your local emergency services immediately. This tool is intended for use in remote or austere environments where such help is not immediately accessible.

Clinical content version: 1.5  ·  Last audited: May 2026  ·  These disclaimers do not constitute legal advice. Users in doubt about their scope of practice or the appropriateness of any intervention should seek guidance from a qualified clinician before acting.