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Cleveland Clinic Journal of Medicine Jan 2020Sepsis is a life-threatening organ dysfunction that results from the body's response to infection. It requires prompt recognition, appropriate antibiotics, careful... (Review)
Review
Sepsis is a life-threatening organ dysfunction that results from the body's response to infection. It requires prompt recognition, appropriate antibiotics, careful hemodynamic support, and control of the source of infection. With the trend in management moving away from protocolized care in favor of appropriate usual care, an understanding of sepsis physiology and best practice guidelines is critical.
Topics: Anti-Bacterial Agents; Disease Management; Humans; Practice Guidelines as Topic; Sepsis; Shock, Septic
PubMed: 31990655
DOI: 10.3949/ccjm.87a.18143 -
Clinical Medicine (London, England) Sep 2019Diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) is not a rare presentation to hospital, despite being an entirely preventable condition. A concerning number of people also develop DKA while...
Diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) is not a rare presentation to hospital, despite being an entirely preventable condition. A concerning number of people also develop DKA while already in hospital. Management of DKA has changed in the last decade, and national guidelines introduced, to help standardise care, spread best practice, and reduce mortality and morbidity.
Topics: Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1; Diabetic Ketoacidosis; Humans; Practice Guidelines as Topic
PubMed: 31530688
DOI: 10.7861/clinmed.2019-0284 -
Anaesthesia Jan 2019It is widely recognised that prolonged fasting for elective surgery in both children and adults serves no purpose, adversely affects patient well-being and can be... (Review)
Review
It is widely recognised that prolonged fasting for elective surgery in both children and adults serves no purpose, adversely affects patient well-being and can be detrimental. Although advised fasting times for solids remain unchanged, there is good evidence to support a 1-h fast for children, with no increase in risk of pulmonary aspiration. In adults, a major focus has been the introduction of carbohydrate loading before anaesthesia, so that patients arrive for surgery not only hydrated but also in a more normal metabolic state. The latter attenuates some of the physiological responses to surgery, such as insulin resistance. As in children, there is no increase in risk of pulmonary aspiration. Further data are required to guide best practice in patients with diabetes.
Topics: Adult; Child; Elective Surgical Procedures; Fasting; Guidelines as Topic; Humans; Practice Guidelines as Topic; Preoperative Care; Preoperative Period
PubMed: 30500064
DOI: 10.1111/anae.14500 -
BMJ (Clinical Research Ed.) Jun 2004Users of clinical practice guidelines and other recommendations need to know how much confidence they can place in the recommendations. Systematic and explicit methods...
Users of clinical practice guidelines and other recommendations need to know how much confidence they can place in the recommendations. Systematic and explicit methods of making judgments can reduce errors and improve communication. We have developed a system for grading the quality of evidence and the strength of recommendations that can be applied across a wide range of interventions and contexts. In this article we present a summary of our approach from the perspective of a guideline user. Judgments about the strength of a recommendation require consideration of the balance between benefits and harms, the quality of the evidence, translation of the evidence into specific circumstances, and the certainty of the baseline risk. It is also important to consider costs (resource utilisation) before making a recommendation. Inconsistencies among systems for grading the quality of evidence and the strength of recommendations reduce their potential to facilitate critical appraisal and improve communication of these judgments. Our system for guiding these complex judgments balances the need for simplicity with the need for full and transparent consideration of all important issues.
Topics: Cost-Benefit Analysis; Evidence-Based Medicine; Humans; Practice Guidelines as Topic; Quality Assurance, Health Care
PubMed: 15205295
DOI: 10.1136/bmj.328.7454.1490 -
Journal of Cystic Fibrosis : Official... Mar 2018Developments in managing CF continue to drive dramatic improvements in survival. As newborn screening rolls-out across Europe, CF centres are increasingly caring for... (Review)
Review
Developments in managing CF continue to drive dramatic improvements in survival. As newborn screening rolls-out across Europe, CF centres are increasingly caring for cohorts of patients who have minimal lung disease on diagnosis. With the introduction of mutation-specific therapies and the prospect of truly personalised medicine, patients have the potential to enjoy good quality of life in adulthood with ever-increasing life expectancy. The landmark Standards of Care published in 2005 set out what high quality CF care is and how it can be delivered throughout Europe. This underwent a fundamental re-write in 2014, resulting in three documents; center framework, quality management and best practice guidelines. This document is a revision of the latter, updating standards for best practice in key aspects of CF care, in the context of a fast-moving and dynamic field. In continuing to give a broad overview of the standards expected for newborn screening, diagnosis, preventative treatment of lung disease, nutrition, complications, transplant/end of life care and psychological support, this consensus on best practice is expected to prove useful to clinical teams both in countries where CF care is developing and those with established CF centres. The document is an ECFS product and endorsed by the CF Network in ERN LUNG and CF Europe.
Topics: Adolescent; Adult; Child; Child, Preschool; Cystic Fibrosis; Europe; Humans; Infant; Infant, Newborn; Neonatal Screening; Practice Guidelines as Topic; Social Support; Terminal Care; Young Adult
PubMed: 29506920
DOI: 10.1016/j.jcf.2018.02.006 -
The Lancet. Oncology Sep 2016Although meningiomas are the most common intracranial tumours, the level of evidence to provide recommendations for the diagnosis and treatment of meningiomas is low... (Review)
Review
Although meningiomas are the most common intracranial tumours, the level of evidence to provide recommendations for the diagnosis and treatment of meningiomas is low compared with other tumours such as high-grade gliomas. The meningioma task force of the European Association of Neuro-Oncology (EANO) assessed the scientific literature and composed a framework of the best possible evidence-based recommendations for health professionals. The provisional diagnosis of meningioma is mainly made by MRI. Definitive diagnosis, including histological classification, grading, and molecular profiling, requires a surgical procedure to obtain tumour tissue. Therefore, in many elderly patients, observation is the best therapeutic option. If therapy is deemed necessary, the standard treatment is gross total surgical resection including the involved dura. As an alternative, radiosurgery can be done for small tumours, or fractionated radiotherapy in large or previously treated tumours. Treatment concepts combining surgery and radiosurgery or fractionated radiotherapy, which enable treatment of the complete tumour volume with low morbidity, are being developed. Pharmacotherapy for meningiomas has remained largely experimental. However, antiangiogenic drugs, peptide receptor radionuclide therapy, and targeted agents are promising candidates for future pharmacological approaches to treat refractory meningiomas across all WHO grades.
Topics: Europe; Humans; Meningeal Neoplasms; Meningioma; Practice Guidelines as Topic
PubMed: 27599143
DOI: 10.1016/S1470-2045(16)30321-7 -
BMC Medicine Dec 2014Hyponatremia is a common electrolyte disorder. Multiple organizations have published guidance documents to assist clinicians in managing hyponatremia. We aimed to... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Hyponatremia is a common electrolyte disorder. Multiple organizations have published guidance documents to assist clinicians in managing hyponatremia. We aimed to explore the scope, content, and consistency of these documents.
METHODS
We searched MEDLINE, EMBASE, and websites of guideline organizations and professional societies to September 2014 without language restriction for Clinical Practice Guidelines (defined as any document providing guidance informed by systematic literature review) and Consensus Statements (any other guidance document) developed specifically to guide differential diagnosis or treatment of hyponatremia. Four reviewers appraised guideline quality using the 23-item AGREE II instrument, which rates reporting of the guidance development process across six domains: scope and purpose, stakeholder involvement, rigor of development, clarity of presentation, applicability, and editorial independence. Total scores were calculated as standardized averages by domain.
RESULTS
We found ten guidance documents; five clinical practice guidelines and five consensus statements. Overall, quality was mixed: two clinical practice guidelines attained an average score of >50% for all of the domains, three rated the evidence in a systematic way and two graded strength of the recommendations. All five consensus statements received AGREE scores below 60% for each of the specific domains.The guidance documents varied widely in scope. All dealt with therapy and seven included recommendations on diagnosis, using serum osmolality to confirm hypotonic hyponatremia, and volume status, urinary sodium concentration, and urinary osmolality for further classification of the hyponatremia. They differed, however, in classification thresholds, what additional tests to consider, and when to initiate diagnostic work-up. Eight guidance documents advocated hypertonic NaCl in severely symptomatic, acute onset (<48 h) hyponatremia. In chronic (>48 h) or asymptomatic cases, recommended treatments were NaCl 0.9%, fluid restriction, and cause-specific therapy for hypovolemic, euvolemic, and hypervolemic hyponatremia, respectively. Eight guidance documents recommended limits for speed of increase of sodium concentration, but these varied between 8 and 12 mmol/L per 24 h. Inconsistencies also existed in the recommended dose of NaCl, its initial infusion speed, and which second line interventions to consider.
CONCLUSIONS
Current guidance documents on the assessment and treatment of hyponatremia vary in methodological rigor and recommendations are not always consistent.
Topics: Consensus; Humans; Hyponatremia; Practice Guidelines as Topic
PubMed: 25539784
DOI: 10.1186/s12916-014-0231-1 -
Journal of Neurologic Physical Therapy... Jul 2018Use of outcome measures (OMs) in adult neurologic physical therapy is essential for monitoring changes in a patient's status over time, quantifying observations and...
BACKGROUND
Use of outcome measures (OMs) in adult neurologic physical therapy is essential for monitoring changes in a patient's status over time, quantifying observations and patient-reported function, enhancing communication, and increasing the efficiency of patient care. OMs also provide a mechanism to compare patient and organizational outcomes, examine intervention effectiveness, and generate new knowledge. This clinical practice guideline (CPG) examined the literature related to OMs of balance, gait, transfers, and patient-stated goals to identify a core set of OMs for use across adults with neurologic conditions and practice settings.
METHODS
To determine the scope of this CPG, surveys were conducted to assess the needs and priorities of consumers and physical therapists. OMs were identified through recommendations of the Academy of Neurologic Physical Therapy's Evidence Database to Guide Effectiveness task forces. A systematic review of the literature on the OMs was conducted and additional OMs were identified; the literature search was repeated on these measures. Articles meeting the inclusion criteria were critically appraised by 2 reviewers using a modified version of the COnsensus-based Standards for the selection of health Measurement INstruments. (COSMIN) checklist. Methodological quality and the strength of statistical results were determined. To be recommended for the core set, the OMs needed to demonstrate excellent psychometric properties in high-quality studies across neurologic conditions.
RESULTS/DISCUSSION
Based on survey results, the CPG focuses on OMs that have acceptable clinical utility and can be used to assess change over time in a patient's balance, gait, transfers, and patient-stated goals. Strong, level I evidence supports the use of the Berg Balance Scale to assess changes in static and dynamic sitting and standing balance and the Activities-specific Balance Confidence Scale to assess changes in balance confidence. Strong to moderate evidence supports the use of the Functional Gait Assessment to assess changes in dynamic balance while walking, the 10 meter Walk Test to assess changes in gait speed, and the 6-Minute Walk Test to assess changes in walking distance. Best practice evidence supports the use of the 5 Times Sit-to-Stand to assess sit to standing transfers. Evidence was insufficient to support use of a specific OM to assess patient-stated goals across adult neurologic conditions. Physical therapists should discuss the OM results with patients and collaboratively decide how the results should inform the plan of care.
DISCLAIMER
The recommendations included in this CPG are intended as a guide for clinicians, patients, educators, and researchers to improve rehabilitation care and its impact on adults with neurologic conditions. The contents of this CPG were developed with support from the APTA and the Academy of Neurologic Physical Therapy (ANPT). The Guideline Development Group (GDG) used a rigorous review process and was able to freely express its findings and recommendations without influence from the APTA or the ANPT. The authors declare no competing interest.Video Abstract available for more insights from the authors (see Video, Supplemental Digital Content 1, available at: http://links.lww.com/JNPT/A214.
Topics: Adult; Humans; Nervous System Diseases; Neurological Rehabilitation; Outcome Assessment, Health Care; Practice Guidelines as Topic
PubMed: 29901487
DOI: 10.1097/NPT.0000000000000229 -
Journal of Visceral Surgery Dec 2010Transferring results of research into clinical practice and their effective use for decisions in health care have become a major concern and are pivotal to quality... (Review)
Review
Transferring results of research into clinical practice and their effective use for decisions in health care have become a major concern and are pivotal to quality improvement. Among the tools that have been developed are clinical practice guidelines (CPG). Developing reliable and valid recommendations requires a rigorous methodological approach that combines a systematic review of the results of clinical research with expert, pondered and explicit judgment. Guaranteeing applicability and implementation of these recommendations implies asking the question of how acceptable the recommendations are for the patient, the availability of the procedure and the expertise necessary in the specific context as well as identification of the organizational impact when put into action. CPG are a source of information not only for physicians but also for policy makers, insurance institutions, continued education programs and production of information for high quality decision making for patients.
Topics: Practice Guidelines as Topic
PubMed: 21093403
DOI: 10.1016/j.jviscsurg.2010.10.010 -
BMC Public Health Feb 2021Policymakers and health professionals prefer to use summarized evidence of practice recommendations. The aim of this scoping review is therefore to identify available... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Policymakers and health professionals prefer to use summarized evidence of practice recommendations. The aim of this scoping review is therefore to identify available guidelines, consensus statements, the standard of practice, and practice recommendations on reproductive health service provision during the COVID-19 pandemics.
METHODS
We searched guideline databases and websites of professional associations and international organizations working on sexual and reproductive health. We looked for practice recommendations on sexual reproductive health services (SRH) during COVID-19 pandemics. Additionally, we searched: MEDLINE, EMBASE, and Google Scholar. Data extraction was done by two independent reviewers using a customized tool that was developed to record the key information of the source that's relevant to the review question. The difference between the two authors on data extraction was resolved by discussion.
RESULTS
A total of 21 records were included in the review. Identified recommendations were classified into thematic areas. The records addressed approaches to antenatal care, labour and delivery, postnatal care, safe abortion, contraception, gender-based violence, and artificial reproduction.
CONCLUSIONS
There were consistent consensus statements and recommendations that there should be access to sexual and reproductive health services like antenatal care (ANC), postnatal care (PNC), contraception service, safe abortion care, and clinical management of rape survivors during the COVID-19 pandemics with the concerted effort of service re-organization. The practice recommendations focus on innovative ways of service provision to minimize patient and staff exposure to COVID-19 as well as alleviate the burden on the health care system. These include utilizing telemedicine and community/home-based care or self-care.
Topics: COVID-19; Consensus; Humans; Practice Guidelines as Topic; Reproductive Health Services
PubMed: 33536001
DOI: 10.1186/s12889-021-10346-2