A study published in Archives of Internal Medicine suggests more than half of the current recommendations of the Infectious Diseases Society of America are based on expert opinions instead of evidence from clinical trials.
Researchers analyzed 41 published ISDA guidelines that were released between Jan. 1994 and May 2010. The recommendations were separated based on their strength of recommendation (level A-C) and quality of evidence (level I-III). Within the 41 guidelines, 4,218 recommendations were found. Fourteen percent of the recommendations were classified as level I quality of evidence; 31 percent of the recommendations were classified as level II quality of evidence; and 55 percent of the recommendations were classified as level III quality of evidence.
Additionally, among A-level recommendations that included strong evidence through clinical trials, 23 percent were level I and 37 percent were level III, which were based on expert opinion.
As a result, researchers say physicians should exercise great caution when using current guidelines as a sole source of guidance in patient care decisions.
Read the study about ISDA guidelines.
Read other coverage about infection control:
- AORN will Target 7 States to Enact RNs as Circulators in 2011
- Researchers Study Quantity and Location of MRSA Colonization
- Infection Diseases Society of America Issues First MRSA Treatment Guidelines
Researchers analyzed 41 published ISDA guidelines that were released between Jan. 1994 and May 2010. The recommendations were separated based on their strength of recommendation (level A-C) and quality of evidence (level I-III). Within the 41 guidelines, 4,218 recommendations were found. Fourteen percent of the recommendations were classified as level I quality of evidence; 31 percent of the recommendations were classified as level II quality of evidence; and 55 percent of the recommendations were classified as level III quality of evidence.
Additionally, among A-level recommendations that included strong evidence through clinical trials, 23 percent were level I and 37 percent were level III, which were based on expert opinion.
As a result, researchers say physicians should exercise great caution when using current guidelines as a sole source of guidance in patient care decisions.
Read the study about ISDA guidelines.
Read other coverage about infection control:
- AORN will Target 7 States to Enact RNs as Circulators in 2011
- Researchers Study Quantity and Location of MRSA Colonization
- Infection Diseases Society of America Issues First MRSA Treatment Guidelines