Description
Peer Responses:
Length: A minimum of 150 words per post, not including references
Citations: At least one high-level scholarly reference in APA per post from within the last 5 years
Relate to another journal reading
1. Clinical practice guidelines play a crucial role in healthcare. Evidence suggests that adhering to these guidelines enables clinicians to provide the most effective, evidence-based care and ultimately improve patient outcomes. Nurse practitioners, physician assistants, and medical doctors can ensure high-quality care and beneficial patient interventions when utilizing these guidelines (Guerra-Farfan et al., 2022). Therefore, implementing clinical practice guidelines can facilitate the promotion of systematic evidence and enable better decision-making by healthcare providers.
2. Different governing bodies for Clinical Practice Guidelines:
World Health Organization (WHO): WHO is responsible for global public health. This guideline recommends high-quality antenatal care, including screening and prevention, for pregnant women.
American Heart Association (AHA): The American Heart Association provides patients with information and guidelines regarding heart attack and stroke symptoms.
The Global Initiative for Asthma (GINA) and National Asthma Education and Prevention Program (NAEPP): Provide clinical practice guidelines used for managing Asthma.
The National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN): Offer clinical practice guidelines are for the management of cancer.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC): This guideline provides recommendations for the diagnosis and treatment of sexually transmitted infections (STIs), including syphilis and chlamydia.
3. Clinical practice guidelines (CPGs) are resources that provide clear recommendations on how to manage a particular medical condition. They evaluate the benefits and potential harms of different management options, based on a systematic literature review of evidence. CPGs often contain diagnostic and treatment algorithms, referral guidelines, and alternative options. They use a specific grading system to assess the strength of the evidence supporting a particular intervention. CPGs commonly undergo a rigorous development process that involves expert panels, external peer reviews, sponsoring societies, and conflict of interest assessments. Additionally, some CPGs may incorporate patient perspectives to ensure the guidelines align with patient values and preferences.
4. When a patient visits a Public Health Department for a Sexually Transmitted Infection (STI), the nurse practitioner will typically refer to clinical practice guidelines provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). This guideline offers consistent and evidence-based protocols for the management of STIs. Specifically, when a patient is diagnosed with Syphilis and Chlamydia, the CDC’s guidelines provide detailed instructions on diagnosis, treatment, antibiotic choice, and follow-up care. Penicillin G is the recommended medication for syphilis treatment in all phases when given parenterally. The preparation, dosage, and duration of treatment depend on the stage and clinical signs of the disease (CDC, 2021b). For Chlamydia, Doxycycline 100 mg orally twice a day for seven days is the recommended treatment. Treating sexual partners is vital to prevent reinfection and transmission. Immediate treatment is crucial for individuals with chlamydial infection, as delaying therapy can lead to complications (CDC, 2021a).
5. The American College of Gynecology (ACOG), The United States Prevention Services Task Force (USPSTF), and the American Cancer Society (ACS) have differences in recommendations for mammogram screening. ACOG suggests that women aged 40 years and above should have mammogram screening every one to two years. USPSTF recommends mammogram screening every other year for women starting from the age of 40. ACS recommends annual mammogram screening for women aged 40 and above and for women aged 55 and over, they recommend mammogram screening every two years. It’s important to be aware of these varying guidelines and consult with a healthcare provider to determine the best screening plan for individual needs.
6. The American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology Clinical Practice Guidelines recommend taking a daily dose of second-generation antihistamines like cetirizine or fexofenadine as the first-line treatment for seasonal allergic rhinitis (American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology, 2022). These medications have fewer sedating effects when compared to diphenhydramine and loratadine. If the patient’s symptoms persist, intranasal corticosteroids like fluticasone can be added to the treatment. Non-pharmacological recommendations include identifying and avoiding triggering allergens like pollen or dust, avoiding the outdoors, and keeping windows closed during high pollen seasons. Other non-pharmacological interventions to reduce symptoms include air purifiers, nasal filters, or nasal irrigation (Bergmann et al., 2021).
References:
American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology. (2022). Rhinitis. AAAAI/ACAAI Allergy Practice Parameters. https://www.allergyparameters.org/
Bergmann, K.-C., Berger, M., Klimek, L., Pfaar, O., Werchan, B., Werchan, M., & Zuberbier, T. (2021). Nonpharmacological measures to prevent allergic symptoms in pollen allergy: A critical review. Allergologie Select, 5(01), 349–360. https://doi.org/10.5414/alx02294e
CDC. (2021a). Chlamydial infections – STI treatment guidelines. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://www.cdc.gov/std/treatment-guidelines/chlam…
CDC. (2021b). Syphilis – STI treatment guidelines. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://www.cdc.gov/std/treatment-guidelines/syphi…
Guerra-Farfan, E., Garcia-Sanchez, Y., Jornet-Gibert, M., Nuñez, J. H., Balaguer-Castro, M., & Madden, K. (2022). Clinical practice guidelines: The good, the bad, and the ugly. Injury, 54(5). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.injury.2022.01.047
