SCCM clinical practice guidelines are developed using a rigorous process that includes evidence-based medicine methodology. The current guidelines development process is described in SCCM’s Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) Manual for Evidence-Based Guidelines and Practice Parameter Statements. Because patients rely on healthcare professionals and institutions for their healthcare, SCCM has developed policies and processes to support the publication and dissemination of the highest-quality guidelines.
SCCM's Guidelines Standard Operating Procedures Manual
SCCM's SOP Manual highlights steps and processes for the development, publication, and dissemination of evidence-based guidelines and clinical practice parameters developed by SCCM volunteers and staff. The purpose of publishing guidelines is to optimize patient care. The SOP Manual delineates important aspects of processes in accordance with standards set by the SCCM Council with implementation via the American College of Critical Care Medicine (ACCM) Board of Regents (BOR).
In October 2022, SCCM replaced the lengthy guidelines development cycle with a new process and additional resources. In the new process, one to five patient, intervention, comparison, outcome (PICO) questions are addressed every year as either updates or new guidelines. The new process also shortens the development cycle, with a goal of 18 months from seating the panel to journal submission.
SCCM has added resources to support the guidelines development process, including implementation scientists, professional librarians, systematic review teams, skilled methodologists, and clinical guidelines practice developers to help write the manuscript.
Highlights of the SOP are summarized below.
SCCM offers resources for guidelines leaders, panelists, and public members to assist in the guidelines development process.
SCCM Guidelines Standard Operating Procedures Manual
The SOP Manual highlights steps and processes for the development, publication, and dissemination of evidence-based guidelines and clinical practice parameters developed by SCCM volunteers and staff. The purpose of publishing guidelines is to optimize patient care. The manual delineates important aspects of processes in accordance with standards set by the SCCM Council with implementation via the ACCM BOR.
Conflict of Interest
SCCM guidelines include rigorous governance processes related to COI. This infographic describes the types of COI applicants should consider when applying to serve on SCCM clinical practice or administrative guidelines development panels.
Clinical Practice and Administrative Guidelines: Frequently Asked Questions for Public Members
SCCM invites public members to serve as panelists on guidelines development panels. These FAQs describe the process.
Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE) methodology is required for all SCCM guidelines. GRADE is considered the most effective and standardized method currently available to link evidence quality to clinical or administrative recommendations.
Here are several resources to help you understand and use GRADE methodology:
Learning objectives:
Learning objectives:
Implementation of guidelines at the bedside often requires the deployment of tools to assist clinicians in applying guidelines to patient care. This short six-minute recorded webcast describes what can be included in toolkits for SCCM guidelines.
