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Practice Guidelines

Evidence-based practice guidelines and resources for anesthesiology

ASA Practice Guidelines
American Society of Anesthesiologists clinical practice parameters
Overview
The ASA develops evidence-based practice guidelines to assist anesthesia professionals in clinical decision-making. These guidelines are systematically developed through rigorous literature review and expert consensus.
Key Guidelines Include
  • Difficult Airway Management - Algorithm and recommendations for anticipated and unanticipated difficult airways
  • Perioperative Fasting - NPO guidelines for elective procedures
  • Neuraxial Anesthesia in Obstetrics - Labor analgesia and cesarean delivery
  • Postanesthetic Care - PACU management and discharge criteria
  • Moderate Sedation - Monitoring and safety guidelines
View ASA Guidelines
ASA Physical Status Classification
Standardized system for assessing patient health status
Classification System
  • ASA I - Normal healthy patient
  • ASA II - Patient with mild systemic disease
  • ASA III - Patient with severe systemic disease
  • ASA IV - Patient with severe systemic disease that is a constant threat to life
  • ASA V - Moribund patient not expected to survive without operation
  • ASA VI - Brain-dead patient for organ donation
Usage
The ASA Physical Status Classification System is used to assess and communicate patient health status pre-operatively. Add "E" for emergency procedures (e.g., ASA III-E).
View Full Classification
ACC/AHA Perioperative Guidelines
Cardiac risk assessment and management for noncardiac surgery
Overview
Joint guidelines from the American College of Cardiology and American Heart Association for perioperative cardiovascular evaluation and management of patients undergoing noncardiac surgery.
Key Components
  • Risk Stratification - Revised Cardiac Risk Index (RCRI) and functional capacity assessment
  • Preoperative Testing - When to order cardiac stress tests, ECG, echocardiography
  • Medication Management - Beta-blockers, statins, antiplatelet agents
  • Coronary Revascularization - Indications for preoperative PCI or CABG
  • Intraoperative Management - Hemodynamic goals and monitoring
View ACC/AHA Guidelines
Cochrane Anesthesia Reviews
Systematic reviews and meta-analyses for anesthesiology
About Cochrane
The Cochrane Library provides high-quality, independent evidence to inform healthcare decision-making. Cochrane Reviews are systematic reviews of primary research in human health care and health policy.
Anesthesia Topics Covered
  • Pain Management - Analgesic interventions and techniques
  • PONV Prevention - Antiemetic strategies and comparisons
  • Regional Anesthesia - Nerve blocks and neuraxial techniques
  • Airway Management - Device comparisons and intubation techniques
  • Fluid Therapy - Goal-directed therapy and fluid choices
Browse Cochrane Library
ASRA Regional Anesthesia Guidelines
Evidence-based guidelines for regional anesthesia and pain medicine
Overview
The American Society of Regional Anesthesia and Pain Medicine (ASRA) publishes evidence-based practice guidelines for regional anesthesia and pain medicine practitioners.
Key Guidelines
  • Anticoagulation Management - Regional techniques in patients on anticoagulants and antiplatelets
  • Infectious Complications - Prevention of infectious complications in regional anesthesia
  • Ultrasound Guidance - Best practices for ultrasound-guided regional anesthesia
  • LAST Management - Local anesthetic systemic toxicity prevention and treatment
  • Continuous Peripheral Nerve Blocks - Catheter placement and management
View ASRA Guidelines
PubMed Clinical Queries
Filtered searches for clinical evidence and systematic reviews
Overview
PubMed Clinical Queries provides specialized searches designed to retrieve clinically relevant evidence. It filters results by study category and scope to help clinicians quickly find high-quality evidence.
Search Categories
  • Therapy - Clinical trials and treatment studies
  • Diagnosis - Diagnostic test accuracy studies
  • Prognosis - Outcome and prognostic studies
  • Etiology - Risk factor and causation studies
  • Clinical Prediction Guides - Risk calculators and decision tools
Systematic Reviews Filter
PubMed's systematic review filter specifically retrieves meta-analyses, systematic reviews, and evidence-based guidelines - the highest levels of evidence for clinical decision-making.
Use PubMed Clinical Queries
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