Four thoracic societies are collaborating to develop standardized guidelines for clinical practice to improve patient care and safety.
The American Association for Thoracic Surgery, Society of Thoracic Surgeons, European Association for Cardio-Thoracic Surgery, and European Society of Thoracic Surgeons are collaborating to standardize guidelines for cardiothoracic surgery, ensuring transparent processes and working with experts to meet the needs of patients and providers worldwide. The initiative will produce clinical practice guidelines, expert consensus statements and clinical statements.
Current guidelines vary widely in quality and consistency, according to an Oct. 21 news release from the American Association for Thoracic Surgery shared with Becker's. The initiative is called "Harmonizing Guidelines and Other Clinical Practice Documents: A Joint Comprehensive Methodology Manual by AATS, EACTS, ESTS, and STS."
"By establishing clear, equitable, and reliable guidelines, we aim to significantly enhance the quality of patient care and contribute to the advancement of medical knowledge," Faisal Bakaeen, MD, professor of surgery in the department of thoracic and cardiovascular surgery and surgical director of the Coronary Center at Cleveland Clinic, said in a new release. "Our collaborative efforts will foster a more transparent healthcare system where doctors can trust the information they use to make critical decisions."