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 126 conditions and 38 medications in the app.

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Important — clinical decision-support tool FieldMedic is a clinical decision-support tool for trained expedition medics and wilderness first responders. It is not a medical device, does not provide a diagnosis, and does not replace the professional judgement of a qualified clinician. All protocols in the app must be verified by a qualified expedition doctor before operational use. FieldMedic accepts no liability for clinical decisions made in the field.
Clinical Governance
Oversight & Audit
Every condition and medication in FieldMedic is overseen by a qualified Chief Medical Officer and independently reviewed by a team of practising clinicians spanning emergency medicine, expedition practice, and wilderness care.
Content is developed by the FieldMedic clinical team, reviewed by the Chief Medical Officer, and independently audited by a panel of practising clinicians.
100%
conditions audited
100%
medications reviewed
2026
current audit cycle
Meet the team →
Authoritative Sources
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 ↗
Source References
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
Basic Life Support (CPR)LifeRCUKResuscitation Guidelines 2025
AED UseLifeRCUKResuscitation Guidelines 2025
Primary Survey (DRcABCDE)UrgentRCUKRCUK First Aid Guidelines 2025
Recovery PositionUrgentRCUKRCUK First Aid Guidelines 2025
Wound CareFieldRCUKRCUK First Aid Guidelines 2025
Foot Care and BlistersFieldWMSWMS Wilderness Medicine CPG
BurnsUrgentBBABritish Burns Association — National Burn Care Standards
Soft Tissue Injuries and SprainsFieldNICENICE NG38 — Fractures (non-complex)
Ankle InjuriesMonitorNICENICE NG38 — Fractures (non-complex); Ottawa Ankle Rules
Finger Injuries and DislocationsMonitorNICENICE NG38 — Fractures (non-complex)
Shoulder DislocationUrgentNICENICE NG38 — Fractures (non-complex)
FracturesUrgentNICENICE NG38 — Fractures (non-complex)
Tick BiteMonitorNICENICE NG95 — Lyme Disease (21-day doxycycline)
Mammal BitesUrgentNICENICE NG184 — Human and Animal Bites
Improvised Stretcher and CarryUrgentRCUKRCUK First Aid Guidelines 2025
Patient Assessment (AMPLE History)FieldRCUKRCUK First Aid Guidelines 2025
Oxygen Therapy (Field)UrgentBTSBTS Oxygen Guidelines 2017
Wound Irrigation TechniqueFieldNICENICE NG184 — Human and Animal Bites (wound irrigation)
Medical Emergencies
31 conditions
ConditionSeverityPrimary SourceGuideline Reference
AnaphylaxisLifeRCUKRCUK Anaphylaxis Guidelines 2021
Choking — AdultLifeRCUKRCUK First Aid Guidelines 2025
Choking — InfantLifeRCUKRCUK First Aid Guidelines 2025
Asthma AttackUrgentBTS / NICEBTS/NICE NG244 Asthma Guidelines 2024
Chest Infection / PneumoniaUrgentNICENICE NG250 — Pneumonia in Adults
COPD ExacerbationUrgentNICENICE NG115 — COPD
Heart Attack (MI)LifeNICE / ESCNICE NG185; ESC ACS Guidelines 2023
Angina PectorisUrgentNICENICE NG185 — Chest Pain
Pulmonary EmbolismLifeNICENICE NG158 — Venous Thromboembolism
Palpitations / Irregular HeartbeatMonitorNICENICE NG196 — Atrial Fibrillation
Stroke and TIALifeNICENICE NG128 — Stroke and TIA
MeningitisLifeNICENICE NG240 — Meningitis and Meningococcal Disease
SepsisLifeNICENICE NG253 — Sepsis (November 2025)
Seizures and FaintsUrgentNICENICE NG217 — Epilepsy
HeadacheMonitorNICENICE NG12 — Suspected Cancer (headache red flags)
HypoglycaemiaUrgentNICE / BNFNICE NG18 — Diabetes; BNF Glucagon
Hyperglycaemia / DKAUrgentNICE / JBDSNICE NG18 — Diabetes; JBDS-IP DKA Guidelines
Head Injury and ConcussionUrgentNICENICE NG232 — Head Injury
Diarrhoea and VomitingMonitorNICENICE CG84 — Diarrhoea and Vomiting
Urinary Tract InfectionMonitorNICENICE NG109 — UTI in Adults (3-day trimethoprim)
Acute Abdominal PainUrgentNICENICE CKS Abdominal Pain
Ectopic PregnancyLifeRCOG / NICERCOG; NICE NG126 — Ectopic Pregnancy
Mild Allergic ReactionMonitorRCUKRCUK Anaphylaxis / Allergic Reaction Guidelines
Dental Abscess / ToothacheMonitorSDCEPSDCEP Drug Prescribing for Dentistry
Sore Throat / TonsillitisFieldNICENICE NG84 — Sore Throat (phenoxymethylpenicillin first-line)
Peritonsillar Abscess (Quinsy)UrgentNICENICE NG84 — Sore Throat (peritonsillar abscess)
Panic Attack / HyperventilationMonitorNICENICE CG113 — Anxiety and Panic Disorder
Trauma
19 conditions
ConditionSeverityPrimary SourceGuideline Reference
Jaw ThrustLifeRCUKRCUK Resuscitation Guidelines 2025
C-Spine ImmobilisationUrgentNICENICE NG41 — Major Trauma; NEXUS Criteria
Chest TraumaLifeNICENICE NG39 — Major Trauma
PneumothoraxLifeBTSBTS Pleural Disease Guidelines; NICE NG39
Rib FracturesUrgentATLS / NICEATLS; NICE NG39
Pelvic InjuryLifeNICENICE NG39 — Major Trauma
Femoral FractureLifeNICENICE NG38 — Fractures (non-complex)
ShockLifeNICENICE NG39 — Major Trauma
The Lethal TriadLifeATLSATLS 10th Edition — Damage Control Resuscitation
Stop the Bleed / Haemorrhage ControlLifeRCUKRCUK First Aid Guidelines 2025 — Haemorrhage Control
METHANE Major Incident ReportUrgentJESIPJESIP Joint Doctrine
Triage (Mass Casualty)UrgentNICENICE NG39 — Major Trauma; JESIP Triage
Knee InjuriesMonitorNICENICE NG38 — Fractures (non-complex); Ottawa Knee Rules
Hand and Wrist InjuriesMonitorNICENICE NG38 — Fractures (non-complex)
Wound Infection / CellulitisUrgentNICENICE NG141 — Cellulitis and Erysipelas
Compartment SyndromeLifeNICENICE NG38 — Fractures (non-complex)
Blast / Explosion InjuryLifeATLS / Military MedicineATLS 10th Edition; NATO Emergency War Surgery
Spinal Injury (Thoracic / Lumbar)UrgentNICENICE NG41 — Major Trauma; NEXUS Criteria
Open (Compound) FractureUrgentBOAST / BOABOAST 4 Open Fractures 2020 (antibiotics within 1 hour)
Environmental Emergencies
26 conditions
ConditionSeverityPrimary SourceGuideline Reference
HypothermiaUrgentWMS / RCUKWMS Hypothermia Guidelines 2019
FrostnipMonitorWMSWMS Cold Injury Guidelines 2019
FrostbiteUrgentWMSWMS Cold Injury Guidelines 2024 (Cauchy grading)
Frostbite — Grading and ManagementUrgentWMSWMS Cold Injury Guidelines 2024; Cauchy Classification
Non-Freezing Cold Injury (Trench Foot)MonitorWMSWMS Cold Injury Guidelines 2019
Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS)MonitorWMSWMS Altitude Illness Guidelines 2019
High Altitude Cerebral Oedema (HACE)LifeWMSWMS Altitude Illness Guidelines 2019
High Altitude Pulmonary Oedema (HAPE)LifeWMSWMS Altitude Illness Guidelines 2019
High Altitude Retinal HaemorrhageUrgentWMSWMS Altitude Illness Guidelines 2019
High Altitude CoughMonitorWMSWMS Altitude Illness Guidelines 2019
Heat ExhaustionUrgentWMSWMS Heat Illness Guidelines 2023
Exertional Heat StrokeLifeWMSWMS Heat Illness Guidelines 2023
DehydrationMonitorNICENICE CG84 — Diarrhoea and Vomiting
Exercise-Associated HyponatraemiaUrgentWMSWMS EAH Guidelines 2020
Overexertion / Exercise-Induced CollapseUrgentWMSWMS Heat Illness Guidelines 2023
Decompression IllnessUrgentDAN / WMSDivers Alert Network Guidelines; WMS
DrowningLifeRCUKRCUK First Aid Guidelines 2025 — Drowning
Near-Drowning — ResuscitationLifeRCUKRCUK First Aid Guidelines 2025 — Drowning
Cold Water ImmersionLifeWMSWMS Submersion Guidelines; RNLI Float to Live
Lightning StrikeLifeWMSWMS Lightning Guidelines; Cooper et al.
Severe SunburnMonitorBBABritish Burns Association — National Burn Care Standards
Insect Sting / BiteFieldRCUKRCUK Anaphylaxis Guidelines — Insect Sting Reactions
Jellyfish and Marine StingsMonitorWMS / AWMSMWMS Marine Envenomation Guidelines; AWMSM
Coral CutsMonitorWMSWMS Marine Injuries Guidelines
SeasicknessMonitorBNF / NICEBNF 2025; NICE CKS Motion Sickness
Tropical Skin ConditionsMonitorWMS / NaTHNaCWMS Tropical Medicine Guidelines
Tropical Medicine
18 conditions
ConditionSeverityPrimary SourceGuideline Reference
Snake BiteUrgentWHO / WMSWHO Snake Bite Management Guidelines 2010
Dengue FeverUrgentWHO / NaTHNaCWHO Dengue Guidelines; NaTHNaC
Yellow FeverUrgentWHOWHO Yellow Fever Guidelines
Rabies ExposureUrgentWHOWHO Rabies Vaccines Position Paper 2018
DiphtheriaUrgentWHOWHO Diphtheria Guidelines
MalariaUrgentNICE / UKHSANICE CKS Malaria; UKHSA Malaria Guidelines
HepatitisMonitorNICENICE CKS Hepatitis
EncephalitisLifeWHOWHO Encephalitis Fact Sheet
Typhoid FeverUrgentWHO / NaTHNaCWHO Typhoid Guidelines; NaTHNaC
LeishmaniasisMonitorWHO / PHEWHO Leishmaniasis Guidelines; PHE Guidelines
BrucellosisMonitorWHO / NICEWHO Brucellosis Guidelines; NICE CKS
Leptospirosis (Weil's Disease)UrgentUKHSA / NaTHNaCUKHSA Leptospirosis Guidelines; NaTHNaC
Giardia / Intestinal ParasitesMonitorNICENICE CKS Giardiasis
CholeraUrgentWHOWHO Cholera Guidelines
Wound Myiasis (Botfly)MonitorNaTHNaC / WMSNaTHNaC Myiasis Guidelines; WMS
Zika VirusMonitorCDC / NaTHNaCCDC Zika Guidelines 2023; NaTHNaC
ChikungunyaMonitorNaTHNaC / WHONaTHNaC Chikungunya Guidelines
Schistosomiasis (Bilharzia)MonitorNICE / PHENICE CKS Schistosomiasis; PHE Guidelines
Specialist Areas
14 conditions
ConditionSeverityPrimary SourceGuideline Reference
Eye TraumaUrgentRCOphthRoyal College of Ophthalmologists — Acute Eye Emergencies
Eye InfectionsMonitorNICE CKSNICE CKS — Conjunctivitis (Infective)
Snow Blindness (UV Keratitis)MonitorWMSWMS Altitude Illness Guidelines 2019 (UV Keratitis)
Nosebleed (Epistaxis)MonitorNICE / ENT UKNICE CKS Epistaxis; ENT UK Guidelines (soft cartilaginous lower nose)
Ear ProblemsMonitorNICENICE NG91 — Otitis Media (amoxicillin first-line)
Mental Health and WellbeingMonitorNICENICE NG222 — Depression in Adults
Menstrual Health on ExpeditionFieldFSRHFSRH CEU Guidance — Hormonal Contraception 2015
Dental EmergenciesMonitorSDCEP / IADTSDCEP; IADT Dental Trauma Guidelines
Urinary RetentionUrgentNICE CKSNICE CKS — Urinary Retention
Abscess and FuruncleMonitorNICENICE CKS Boils, Carbuncles and Staphylococcal Skin
Foreign Body (Wound / Eye / Ear)MonitorNICENICE NG184 — Human and Animal Bites (wound/foreign body)
Genitourinary Trauma and IssuesUrgentBAUS / NICEBAUS — Testicular Torsion Guidelines; NICE CKS
Tropical Skin Infections and RashesMonitorNICENICE NG153 — Impetigo 2020 (hydrogen peroxide 1% first-line)
Medications
Drug Source References
All 38 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)AltitudeWMS 2019 / BNF 2025125mg BD prevention; 250mg BD treatment per WMS 2019
Adrenaline (EpiPen / 1:1000)EmergencyRCUK 2025 / BNF 2025EpiPen 0.3mg fixed; manual IM 0.5mg — clearly distinguished
Amoxicillin 500mgAntibioticBNF 2025 / NICE NG250OCP interaction removed per MHRA 2011; glandular fever warning present
Aspirin 300mgCardiac EmergencyBNF 2025 / NICE NG185MI use only; 300mg chewed then 75mg OD
Azithromycin 500mgAntibioticBNF 2025 / NaTHNaCPregnancy: Category B — safe when indicated (UKTIS)
Benzylpenicillin 2g IMAntibioticBNF 2025 / NICE NG240Pre-hospital meningitis backup; 2g every 4h if evacuation delayed
Ceftriaxone 2g IMAntibioticBNF 2025 / NICE NG240Meningitis: 2g BD (every 12h) — corrected from once daily
Chloramphenicol Eye OintmentOphthalmicBNF 2025 / NICETopical use; 4-6 hourly application
Co-amoxiclav 625mgAntibioticBNF 2025 / NICEOCP interaction removed per MHRA Drug Safety Update Oct 2011
Co-codamol 30/500mgPain ReliefBNF 2025 / MHRAMHRA 2013 codeine guidance; avoid in pregnancy
Cyclizine 50mgAntiemeticBNF 2025Urinary retention / BPH contraindication included
DexamethasoneAltitude / SteroidWMS 2019 / BNF 2025HACE: 8mg initial then 4mg every 6h per WMS 2019
Doxycycline 100mgAntibioticBNF 2025 / NICE NG95Lyme disease 21 days per NICE NG95; OCP interaction removed MHRA 2011
Flucloxacillin 500mgAntibioticBNF 2025 / NICE NG141First-line for cellulitis; empty stomach dosing correct
Glucagon 1mg IMDiabetic EmergencyBNF 2025 / Diabetes UKLess effective in starvation / alcohol — correctly noted
GTN SprayCardiacBNF 2025 / NICE NG185Sildenafil 24h / tadalafil 48h contraindication
Hydrocortisone 100mg IV/IMSteroidBNF 2025 / BTS/NICEFor severe asthma when oral prednisolone not possible
IbuprofenPain Relief / Anti-inflammatoryBNF 2025 / NICENSAID-exacerbated respiratory disease contraindication included
Loperamide (Imodium) 2mgAntidiarrhoealBNF 2025 / MHRAMHRA 2017 QT warning at high doses; age restriction <12 (MHRA 2023)
Loratadine 10mgAntihistamineBNF 2025 / UKTISPregnancy: Category B — safe when indicated (UKTIS)
Metronidazole 400mgAntibioticBNF 2025 / UKTISAvoid 1st trimester if possible; generally acceptable 2nd/3rd trimester
Nifedipine 20mg MRAltitudeWMS 2019 / BNF 2025HAPE: 20mg MR every 8h per WMS 2019
Nitrofurantoin 100mgAntibioticBNF 2025 / NICE NG109Trimester guidance: avoid 1st trimester and at term; OK 2nd trimester
NorethisteroneHormonalBNF 2025 / FSRHFSRH CEU Guidance 2015; 5mg TDS from 3 days before period
Omeprazole 20-40mgGastricBNF 2025 / UKTISPregnancy: acceptable when indicated (UKTIS)
Oral Rehydration Salts (ORS)RehydrationWHO / UNICEFWHO ORT formula; improvised recipe verified
ParacetamolPain ReliefBNF 2025Standard dosing; weight-adjusted (>50kg / <50kg)
Penthrox (Methoxyflurane)Analgesic (inhaled)Penthrox SmPC / MHRA3ml max; 6ml/day; 15ml/week per SmPC
Prednisolone 40mgSteroidBNF 2025 / BTS/NICEAcceptable in pregnancy when benefit outweighs risk (RCOG)
Prochlorperazine (Buccastem)AntiemeticBNF 2025Buccal route useful when vomiting; avoid in pregnancy
Salbutamol InhalerRespiratoryBNF 2025 / BTS NICE NG2441 puff at a time via spacer per BTS/NICE 2024
Trimethoprim 200mgAntibioticBNF 2025 / NICE NG1093-day course per NICE NG109 (not 7 days)
Dextrose Gel 40% (Glucogel)Emergency / HypoglycaemiaBNF, Diabetes UK, JRCALC
Fusidic Acid 2% CreamDermatologyBNF, NICE CKS
Malaria RDT (Rapid Diagnostic Test)DiagnosticsWHO, PHE Guidelines
Malarone (Atovaquone/Proguanil)AntimalarialBNF, NaTHNaC, WHO
Riamet / Coartem (Artemether/Lumefantrine)AntimalarialWHO, BNF, Wilderness Medical Society
Scopolamine Patch (Kwells)Nausea / Motion SicknessBNF, NICE CKS

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: 1.0.4  ·  Last audited: April 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.