HRS Clinical Document Methodology

The Heart Rhythm Society (HRS) has been developing clinical practice documents in collaboration and partnership with other professional medical societies since 1996. The HRS formed a Clinical Guidelines Committee (CGC) with the purpose of managing the development of these documents from conception through publication. The CGC oversees the process for developing clinical practice documents, with input and approval from the HRS Executive Committee. The HRS Clinical Document Development Methodology Manual and Policies transparently declares the standards by which the HRS develops clinical practice documents, which include clinical practice guidelines and expert consensus statements.

The foundation for this process is informed by the Institute of Medicine's standards for developing trustworthy clinical practice guidelines; the new criteria from the National Guidelines Clearinghouse, effective June 2014; SCDC member discussions; and a review of guideline policies and methodologies used by other professional organizations.

The following stages make up the HRS clinical document development process:

• Topic identification
• Formation of the writing committee
• Scope refinement
• Review of the evidence
• Development of recommendations and supporting text
• Public comment
• Clinical Guidelines Committee review and HRS review
• External review
• HRS endorsement and external society endorsement
• Publication and presentation of the document

Please email [email protected] should you have questions or need further information.