Page 24 - Time to DeLiver: Getting a Grip on HE report 2015

Getting a Grip on HE: Calls to action

1. H ealthcare professionals, patient associations and governments need to recognise
and address potential barriers caused by the stigma associated with advanced
chronic liver disease and to raise awareness of advanced chronic liver disease and
hepatic encephalopathy among the general public and healthcare professionals.

2. H ealthcare providers, policy makers and patient organisations should work
together to properly assess the impact of hepatic encephalopathy on patients and
caregivers, and on healthcare resources. We call for the ICD-10 revision to re-instate
the code for hepatic encephalopathy to facilitate this.

3. P atients, and in particular, carers, should be made aware of the signs and
symptoms of hepatic encephalopathy and its common precipitants. The
Hepatic Encephalopathy patient information publication (available at:
www.britishlivertrust.org.uk/liver-information/liver-conditions/hepatic-
encephalopathy/), for example, provides useful information for patients, families
and carers.

4. P atients and carers must have access to an informed point of contact who can
provide advice and organise interventions at an early stage.

5. A ll healthcare professionals should be capable of identifying symptoms
suggestive of hepatic encephalopathy and taking appropriate action. We call for

comprehensive training and education to be provided to ensure this is possible.

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