Inadequate detection and management of abdominal aortic aneurysms
First to latest report 7 Oct 2013 — 17 Apr 2024
Reports that mention this concern
8
Times this concern has been raised
9
Stated actions linked to this concern
13
What this concern includes
Includes failures of controls specifically dedicated to abdominal aortic aneurysm detection or management, including screening invitation or information, diagnostic consideration, referral pathways, specialist follow-up and escalation of symptomatic or identified aneurysms.
What is not included
Excludes generic failures in staffing, training, documentation, communication or emergency response unless the report explicitly ties them to abdominal aortic aneurysm detection or management.
Excludes unrelated screening programmes, hazards and clinical conditions.
Excludes general diagnostic or referral deficiencies that are not specifically concerned with abdominal aortic aneurysms.
Trends
Reports over time
Reports mentioning this concern, over time
Reports about this concern issued each year.
* 2026 is projected from reports observed to 7 Sep 2026.
Most frequent recipients
Most frequent recipients
Reports about this concern sent to each recipient.
NHS England4
Barking, Havering and Redbridge University Hospitals NHS Trust1
Cardiff & Vale University LHB1
Clinisys Solutions Limited1
Dorset Healthcare University NHS Foundation Trust1
Maylands Health Care1
NHS Pathways1
Public Health England1
Royal College of General Practitioners1
South East Coast Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust1
The Society and College of Radiographers1
University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust1
Executive non-departmental public body4
NHS trust4
Executive agency1
Healthcare site1
Health professional body1
Local health board1
Private limited company1
Sub-organisation1
Reports and published responses 8 reports
See individual reports that have raised this concern, and the actions taken in response
Cheshire
Concerns raised1
Failure of diagnostic guidance to require consideration and exclusion of abdominal aortic aneurysm when diagnosing acute pancreatitis
Linked responses
National Institute for Health and Care Excellence
NHS England
Stated actions An action is something a respondent says it has done, is doing, or plans to do in response to the concern raised.3
National Institute for Health and Care Excellence
Review pancreatitis guideline section 1.2 and consider revising wording about raised lipase or amylase levels and alternative conditions.
NHS England
Review the coroner’s concerns about clinical guidance for abdominal aortic aneurysm and acute pancreatitis.
National Institute for Health and Care Excellence
Amend the pancreatitis guideline to clarify that raised lipase or amylase levels support diagnosis but may occur in other conditions.
Respondent positions A position is what a respondent says about the concern when they do not describe a specific action.4
National Institute for Health and Care Excellence
Guidelines cannot cover all differential diagnoses because each guideline has a defined scope relating to specific medical conditions.
Outside remitThe respondent said that this matter was outside its role or authority.
National Institute for Health and Care Excellence
Individual clinicians are responsible for treatment decisions, using professional experience, training and clinical judgement alongside NICE guidelines.
Redirects responsibilityThe respondent said that another organisation was responsible for deciding or taking action.
NHS England
Responsibility for relevant clinical guidelines falls outside NHS England’s remit and authority.
Outside remitThe respondent said that this matter was outside its role or authority.
NHS England
Concerns about relevant clinical guidelines should be referred to the organisations responsible for producing them.
Redirects responsibilityThe respondent said that another organisation was responsible for deciding or taking action.
East London
Concerns raised1
Reliance on GP assessment and referral within the AAA treatment pathway
No linked response statements
No respondent-stated action or position is linked to these concerns in the published data.
Brighton and Hove
Concerns raised1
Failure to ask patients with abdominal pain about a pulsating mass
This report raised 5 other concerns. They are not shown here because they do not form part of this recurring concern.
Linked responses
NHS England
South East Coast Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust
Stated actions An action is something a respondent says it has done, is doing, or plans to do in response to the concern raised.2
NHS England
Undertake a detailed review of additional telephone discriminators for abdominal aortic aneurysm, including risk factors, pain characteristics and organ-dysfunction symptoms.
NHS England
Incorporate the resulting abdominal aortic aneurysm triage changes into release 18.
Respondent positions A position is what a respondent says about the concern when they do not describe a specific action.3
South East Coast Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust
NHS Pathways is responsible for setting and changing clinical triage questions, including questions addressing abdominal aortic aneurysm risk.
Redirects responsibilityThe respondent said that another organisation was responsible for deciding or taking action.
NHS England
Telephone palpation by patients or carers is too difficult and could delay ambulance dispatch for a time-critical condition.
Unable to actThe respondent said that a constraint prevented them from taking the relevant action.
NHS England
Existing triage identifies hypovolaemia and critical illness for emergency dispatch, so detecting a pulsatile mass would not necessarily change the disposition.
Existing arrangements considered sufficientThe respondent said that existing arrangements were sufficient, so no further action was needed.
Inner North London
Concerns raised2
Failure to invite people over 65 at screening programme introduction for abdominal aortic aneurysm screening
Patients may not appreciate the benefits of opting into screening for asymptomatic abdominal aortic aneurysms
This report raised 1 other concern. They are not shown here because they do not form part of this recurring concern.
Linked response
NHS England
Stated actions An action is something a respondent says it has done, is doing, or plans to do in response to the concern raised.3
NHS England
Continue supporting London AAA screening providers to improve men’s awareness of screening options.
NHS England
Implement a local quality standard requiring programmes to record older men’s self-referrals to AAA screening.
NHS England
Deliver targeted outreach through GPs, health providers, media, community events, patient groups, social media and the programme website to promote AAA screening access.
Respondent positions A position is what a respondent says about the concern when they do not describe a specific action.2
NHS England
The UK National Screening Committee determines eligible screening ages and reviews new evidence that might justify changing those recommendations.
Redirects responsibilityThe respondent said that another organisation was responsible for deciding or taking action.
NHS England
Existing self-referral arrangements and communications are considered sufficient to enable men over 65 to access AAA screening and understand their options.
Existing arrangements considered sufficientThe respondent said that existing arrangements were sufficient, so no further action was needed.
Berkshire
Concerns raised1
Lack of General Practitioner awareness that a supra-renal aortic aneurysm finding may indicate a larger thoracic aortic aneurysm requiring further investigation
This report raised 2 other concerns. They are not shown here because they do not form part of this recurring concern.
Linked responses
NHS England
Royal College of General Practitioners
Society and College of Radiographers (SCoR
Stated actions An action is something a respondent says it has done, is doing, or plans to do in response to the concern raised.3
Society and College of Radiographers (SCoR
Review SCoR and BMUS ultrasound guidelines to add guidance on suspected supra-renal aneurysm referral, imaging, and anatomical assessment.
Society and College of Radiographers (SCoR
Communicate to radiology services the need for clear processes for sonographer onward referral or handling by an authorised colleague.
NHS England
Ensure the NICE lead for the abdominal aortic aneurysm guideline is aware of the Coroner’s concerns.
Respondent positions A position is what a respondent says about the concern when they do not describe a specific action.1
Royal College of General Practitioners
Local hospital radiology and vascular surgery departments determine referral thresholds for suprarenal aortic aneurysms.
Redirects responsibilityThe respondent said that another organisation was responsible for deciding or taking action.
South Wales Central
Concerns raised1
Failure to ensure appropriate escalation of care for symptomatic patients with FAST-ultrasound-identified AAA
This report raised 3 other concerns. They are not shown here because they do not form part of this recurring concern.
No linked response statements
No respondent-stated action or position is linked to these concerns in the published data.
Exeter and Greater Devon
Concerns raised1
Failure to inform inmates about screening for aortic aneurysm
This report raised 2 other concerns. They are not shown here because they do not form part of this recurring concern.
Linked response
Dorset Healthcare University NHS Foundation Trust
Stated actions An action is something a respondent says it has done, is doing, or plans to do in response to the concern raised.2
Dorset Healthcare University NHS Foundation Trust
Provide and track access to abdominal aortic aneurysm screening for eligible Devon prison patients, documenting screening offers, attendance or declining reasons.
Dorset Healthcare University NHS Foundation Trust
Promote national screening programmes through monthly health-promotion sessions and prison-wide posters.
Birmingham and Solihull
Concerns raised1
Failure to maintain follow-up of patients with abdominal aortic aneurysms
No linked response statements
No respondent-stated action or position is linked to these concerns in the published data.
Actions and positions describe what organisations say in published responses. Implementation is not independently verified.
Actions and positions describe what organisations say in published responses. Implementation is not independently verified.