Home » Guideline Topic Proposal

Guideline Topic Proposal

The online application for submitting topic suggestions for evidence-based clinical practice guideline development is designed to facilitate the planning, implementation, and evaluation of potential guideline topics in compliance with ACCP standards. It also serves as a tool to assist the ACCP Health and Science Policy (HSP) Committee with providing effective oversight, planning, review, and support for guideline development.

The HSP Committee and its Guidelines Subcommittee review and prioritize guideline topics for development or revision based on established criteria (see below). Proposed topics must be accompanied by a body of supporting evidence. Without that evidence, the topic may be referred to the ACCP NetWorks for consideration for development of a non-evidence-based consensus statement.

Anyone is welcome to submit a topic for consideration. ACCP membership is not required.

The ACCP Evidence-Based Clinical Practice Guideline (EBG) application is designed to facilitate the planning, implementation, and evaluation of potential EBG topics that will comply with ACCP standards. It also serves as a tool that will assist the ACCP Health and Science Policy (HSP) Committee in providing effective review, planning, and support for EBG development.

The ACCP typically develops up to 3 EBGs a year. The HSP Committee reviews EBG topics based on established criteria for EBG development. If the proposed topic does not have a body of supporting evidence-based data, the topic may be referred to the ACCP NetWorks, at which point the development of a consensus statement could be considered. In order for the HSP Committee to review each proposal, all fields of the application are to be completed and submitted along with any supporting documentation. Supporting documentation (if applicable) should be sent to Sandra Zelman Lewis, PhD, Assistant Vice President, HSP and QI.

In order for a proposed topic to be considered for the upcoming fiscal year, the proposed topic application must be submitted by October 31st of the calendar year.

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.