Specialist peri-operative allergy clinic services in the UK 2016: results from the Royal College of Anaesthetists sixth National Audit Project (NAP6)

BACKGROUND: Guidelines for investigation of perioperative drug allergy exist, but the quality of services is unknown. Specialist perioperative anaphylaxis services were surveyed through the Royal College of Anaesthetists 6(th) National Audit Project. OBJECTIVES: We compare self-declared UK practice in specialist perioperative allergy services with national recommendations. METHODS: A SurveyMonkey(™) questionnaire was distributed to providers of allergy services in the UK. Responses were assessed for adherence to the best practice recommendations of the British Society for Allergy and Clinical Immunology, the Association of Anaesthetists of Great Britain and Ireland and the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) Guidance on Drug Allergy - CG183. RESULTS: Over 1200 patients were evaluated in 44 centres annually. Variation in workload, waiting times, access, staffing and diagnostic approach was noted. Paediatric centres had the longest routine waiting times (most wait >13 weeks) in contrast to adult centres (most wait