What is Clinical Practice Guidelines

“Systematically developed statements to assist practitioner decisions about appropriate health care for specific clinical circumstances” (Field & Lohr, 1990 AU41: The in-text citation "Field & Lohr, 1990" is not in the reference list. Please correct the citation, add the reference to the list, or delete the citation. ). They can be used to reduce inappropriate variations in practice and to promote the delivery of high quality, evidence-based health care. They may also provide a mechanism by which healthcare professionals can be made accountable for clinical activities. The Institute of Medicine (IOM) (2012) defines clinical practice guidelines as “statements that include recommendations, intended to optimize patient care, which are informed by a systematic review of evidence and an assessment of the benefits and harms of alternative care options.”

“Systematically developed statements to assist practitioner decisions about appropriate health care for specific clinical circumstances” (Field & Lohr, 1990 AU120: The in-text citation "Field & Lohr, 1990" is not in the reference list. Please correct the citation, add the reference to the list, or delete the citation. ) They can be used to reduce inappropriate variations in practice and to promote the delivery of high quality, evidence-based health care. They may also provide a mechanism by which healthcare professionals can be made accountable for clinical activities. The Institute of Medicine (IOM) (2012) defines clinical practice guidelines as “statements that include recommendations, intended to optimize patient care, which are informed by a systematic review of evidence and an assessment of the benefits and harms of alternative care options.”