American College of Cardiology

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Section I: Overview of Methodology and Purpose of the Manual

Section II: Tools and Methods for Creating Guidelines

Step One: Select Topic and Writing Committee, Determine the Guideline Scope, Clinical Objectives and Draft Outline.

Step Two: Determine Writing Assignments. Define and Conduct Appropriate and Comprehensive Literature Searches.

Step Three: Sort and Evaluate the Evidence.

Step Four: Synthesize and Interpret the Evidence.

Step Five: Write Recommendations Based on Expert Interpretation of the Evidence.

Step Six: Assign Classification of Recommendations and Strength of Evidence.

Step Seven: Create Tables, Diagrams, Algorithms, and Mnemonics Describing Recommendations and Synthesizing Evidence.

Step Eight: Writing Committee Signs Off On Document. Draft Document Sent for Peer Review.

Step Nine: Writing Committee Responds to Peer Review Comments. Final Writing Committee Sign-off. Draft Document Sent for Review by Governing Bodies of ACC and AHA. Document Sent to Other Organizations Who Are Partners/Cosponsors or Wish to Consider Guidelines for Endorsement.

Step Ten: Web-Post Document and Journal Publication.

Section III: General Operating Procedures

Disclosure of Relationships With Industry (RWI) Policy
Confidentiality Policy/Agreement
Copyright Assignment and License Agreement

Section IV: Appendices

Appendix A: Suggested Readings
Appendix B: Disclosure of Relationships with Industry (RWI) Policy
Appendix C: Confidentiality Policy/Agreement
Appendix D: Copyright Assignment and License Agreement