ACCP Endorsement of Guidelines

The HSP Committee seeks the multidisciplinary contributions and reviews of other relevant professional societies that are invited to appoint a representative to the guideline panel. These organizations are requested to consider the final and approved guidelines for endorsement.

Occasionally, the ACCP is asked to endorse guidelines developed by other organizations. There are strict criteria that are considered prior to the decision to endorse a guideline. Those requesting endorsement from the ACCP are asked to complete the Request for ACCP Endorsement to assist the HSP Committee and ACCP Executive Committee with making their decision. The HSP Committee and ACCP Board of Regents request a minimum of 6 weeks for these requests.

The ACCP understands the need among medical specialty societies and other organizations to collaboratively develop evidence-based guidelines and to share these data and recommendations. The ACCP has in place a system for participating in guideline panels and adopting guidelines developed through these collaborative efforts as ACCP policy through a formal endorsement of a prepublished or published practice guideline. When requesting endorsement by the ACCP, we would ask that you complete the following form. Please allow at least 6 weeks for review of your practice guideline.

Please send the following material to Sandra Zelman Lewis, PhD:

A list of panel members and other participants used in developing and reviewing this practice guideline
A copy of the clinical practice guideline

Sandra Zelman Lewis, PhD
American College of Chest Physicians
3300 Dundee Road
Northbrook, IL 60062-2348
USA

Phone Number: (847) 498-8322
Fax Number: (847) 498-5460
e-Mail: slewis@chestnet.org

Name: *

E-Mail Address: *

Title of Clinical Practice Guideline: *

Authoring Organization(s): *

List at least one compelling reason why this topic may be of importance to ACCP members:

The topic focuses on a condition of considerable variation in clinical practice.

The topic may have impact on reimbursement.

The topic may impact medical liability issues.

(Check all that apply)

Please list at least three ways that the implementation of this guideline will impact management of patients with this condition: *

Please list at least three measurable outcomes that may result from implementing this guideline.: *

Please describe the methodology used for developing this practice guideline.: *

Guideline Ranking & Disclaimer

Rank	Definition
1	This guideline is new and represents the best available evidence at this time. It will be reviewed on an annual basis to determine if it remains current.
2	This guideline is reviewed on an annual basis and there have been new studies published since the guideline was developed. However, the Health and Science Policy (HSP) Committee determined that these studies are not sufficient to warrant changing the guideline at this time. The information contained in this guideline provides the user with the best evidence available at the time the guideline was published. Readers are encouraged to search the current literature as a supplement to using this guideline.
3	This guideline is reviewed on an annual basis. The HSP Committee determined that new studies have been published that warrant an update of the (fill in) chapter/section of this practice guideline. The HSP Committee also determined that the remainder of the chapters/sections does not require updating and these recommendations remain current.
4	This guideline is reviewed on an annual basis. The HSP Committee determined that new data are available that are sufficient to potentially change guideline recommendations and a full revision is warranted.
5	This guideline has been reviewed on an annual basis. The HSP Committee has decided it is outdated; however, it has been retained for historical and/or educational purposes. These guidelines should be used with caution for clinical decision-making purposes.

The evidence-based practice guidelines published by The American College of Chest Physicians (“ACCP”) incorporate data obtained from a comprehensive literature review of the most recent studies available at the time of publication. Guidelines are intended for general information only, are not medical advice, and do not replace professional medical care and physician advice, which always should be sought for any specific condition. Furthermore, guidelines may not be complete or accurate because new studies that may have become available late in the process of guideline development may not be incorporated into any particular guideline before it is disseminated. ACCP and its officers, regents, governors, executive committee, members and employees (the “ACCP Parties”) disclaim all liability for the accuracy or completeness of a guideline, and disclaim all warranties, express or implied. Guideline users always are urged to seek out newer information that might impact the diagnostic and treatment recommendations contained within a guideline. The ACCP Parties further disclaim all liability for any damages whatsoever (including, without limitation, direct, indirect, incidental, punitive, or consequential damages) arising out of the use, inability to use, or the results of use of a guideline, any references used in a guideline, or the materials, information, or procedures contained in a guideline, based on any legal theory whatsoever and whether or not there was advice of the possibility of such damages.