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 where it was considered that clinicians require guidance to ensure good clinical practice.
The recommendations and practice points are summarised in the Executive summary, and given by clinical condition in Appendix F.
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)
- background material on clinical issues not covered by the systematic review (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, information about blood components and the recommendations and practice points listed by clinical condition. Finally, the document contains a list of references.
1.3.2 Related materials
Materials relevant to clinicians will be developed to accompany this module; these materials will be available online and in print from the NBA.
The technical report that underpins this document is available online, in two volumes:
Volume 1
This volume contains background information and the results of the systematic reviews pertaining to the clinical questions posed within this guideline.10
Volume 2
This volume contains appendixes that document the literature searches, study quality appraisal, NHMRC evidence statement forms and evidence summaries for the individual studies.11