Methodology for Evidence Evaluation and Reporting of the NAEMSP Trauma Compendium Position Statements.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Position statements from national organizations commonly vary in methodology for the evaluation of existing literature and the development of recommendations. Recent national recommendations have highlighted important components for evidence-based guidelines that can be feasibly incorporated in the creation of position statements and their resource documents. We describe the methodology developed to guide the creation of a compendium of 16 trauma-related position statements led by NAEMSP and partner organizations. METHODS: Each position statement group developed trauma-related topic areas, primarily guided by the Population, Intervention, Comparison, and Outcome (PICO) framework. A structured literature search comprised of search terms aimed to identify relevant EMS and trauma-related scientific publications was performed for each topic area. Resource documents for each position statement included a description of the literature considered in forming recommendations, reported through evidence tables and a narrative description of the available literature. Where evidence was limited, consensus-based recommendations were developed using content experts and reviewed by the NAEMSP Standards and Clinical Practice Committee. CONCLUSION: We report a standardized methodology for literature review and development of recommendations as part of a compendium of trauma-related position statements from NAEMSP and partner organizations. This methodology can serve as a template for future position statements with ongoing refinement.