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Inclusion Criteria
Definition of Clinical Practice Guideline
The National Guideline Clearinghouse (NGC) employs the definition of clinical
practice guideline developed by the Institute of Medicine (IOM).
- Clinical practice guidelines are systematically developed statements to assist
practitioner and patient decisions about appropriate health care for specific
clinical circumstances. [Institute of Medicine. (1990). Clinical Practice Guidelines:
Directions for a New Program, M.J. Field and K.N. Lohr (eds.) Washington, DC: National Academy Press. page 38].
Criteria for Inclusion of Clinical Practice Guidelines in NGC
All of the criteria below must be met for a clinical practice guideline to be included in NGC.
- The clinical practice guideline contains systematically developed statements that
include recommendations, strategies, or information that assists physicians and/or other
health care practitioners and patients make decisions about appropriate health care for
specific clinical circumstances.
- The clinical practice guideline was produced under the auspices of medical
specialty associations; relevant professional societies, public or private organizations,
government agencies at the Federal, State, or local level; or health care organizations
or plans. A clinical practice guideline developed and issued by an individual not officially
sponsored or supported by one of the above types of organizations does not meet the inclusion
criteria for NGC.
- Corroborating documentation can be produced and verified that a systematic literature
search and review of existing scientific evidence published in peer reviewed journals was
performed during the guideline development. A guideline is not excluded from NGC if corroborating
documentation can be produced and verified detailing specific gaps in scientific evidence for
some of the guideline's recommendations.
- The full text guideline is available upon request in print or electronic format (for free or for a fee),
in the English language. The guideline is current and the most recent version produced. Documented evidence can be
produced or verified that the guideline was developed, reviewed, or revised within the last five years.