1.3 Structure of the document and related materials
1.3.1 The document
This module includes:
- recommendations – based on evidence from the systematic review
- practice points – based on consensus decision making, where the systematic review found insufficient high-quality data to produce evidence-based recommendations, but clinicians require guidance to ensure good clinical practice
- a template – for developing a preoperative anaemia management algorithm.
The recommendations and practice points are summarised in the Executive summary.
The remainder of this document includes:
- an outline of the methods used to develop the clinical research questions, undertake a systematic review of the literature, and develop recommendations and practice points (Chapter 2)
- clinical practice guidance, setting out the main findings of the systematic review and other considerations documented by the CRG, and recommendations and practice points, as appropriate (Chapter 3)
- a discussion of anaesthesia and patient blood management (Chapter 4)
- recommendations for future directions (Chapter 5)
- information on implementing, evaluating and maintaining the guidelines (Chapter 6).
The document also includes appendixes that provide an overview of the blood sectors in Australia and New Zealand, membership of the governance bodies for guideline development, information on transfusion risks, a process report, evidence statements and information about blood components. Finally, the document contains a list of references.