Purpose
The purpose of developing clinical practice guidelines is to provide an important educational tool to clinicians and assist practitioners and patients in making decisions about appropriate healthcare for specific clinical circumstances.
New guidelines developed by the American Thoracic Society (ATS), IDSA and the Latin American Thoracic Association (ALAT) on the diagnosis and management of hospital-acquired and ventilator-associated pneumonia will begin in 2024. This guideline will be a joint effort with ATS, IDSA, and ALAT. The guideline will be overseen by ATS.
The following six questions are tentatively slated to be addressed in this guideline:
1. Are the operating characteristics of rapid multiplex bacterial PCR sufficiently accurate to base empirical antibiotic therapy on positive results?
2. Are the operating characteristics of rapid multiplex bacterial PCR sufficiently accurate to avoid or deescalate broad-spectrum empirical antibiotic therapy on a negative result?
3. In institutions with frequent MDR pathogens, should diagnosis of VAP be based on quantitative cultures of bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL), either bronchoscopic or nonbronchoscopic?
4. For HAP/VAP due to carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter spp., are newer -β-lactam/β-lactamase therapies superior to colistin- or tetracycline-based regimens?
5. In patients with HAP/VAP due to carbapenem-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa, should ceftolozanetazobactam or alternative treatments be used for systemic therapy?
6. In patients with HAP/VAP due to OXA-48 producing Enterobacterales, should ceftazidime-avibactam or alternative treatment be used as first-line therapy?
For this guideline, IDSA is seeking the following:
- One volunteer clinical/physician senior chair to co-lead the guideline panel (NOTE: Panel will be co-chaired by expert members from ATS);
- One volunteer clinical/physician junior chair to co-lead the guideline panel;
- Eight volunteer clinical/physician expert members to participate in the guideline panel.
Responsibilities
Chair (Senior and Junior Roles):
- Oversee the timely completion of clinical practice guidelines according to the processes outlined in the ATS Handbook for Development of Clinical Practice Guidelines and those provided by ATS staff;
- Co-lead and participate in panel meetings;
- Co-lead the development of up to six clinical questions to be addressed;
- Provide input and feedback on all data analyses, including meta-analyses;
- Co-lead the panel through the discussion of the evidence synthesis prepared by the methodology team;
- Oversee the fair and equitable deliberation and approval of guideline recommendations;
- Along with the ATS co-chairs, assume primary responsibility for drafting the manuscript (sections may be drafted by individual panel members);
- Co-lead the development of responses to comments received as part of the review and approval process;
- Participate in the review of guideline derivative products;
- Participate in and adhere to the principles of ATS-provided formal training on guideline development;
- Participate in post-development guideline dissemination activities as needed, which may include participation on a panel at the Societies’ annual conferences.
Panelist:
- Help address the six important and relevant clinical questions;
- Assist in the selection of patient-important outcomes;
- Provide input and feedback on all data analyses, including meta-analyses;
- Help develop recommendations;
- Assist in drafting the manuscript;
- Participate in and adhere to the principles of ATS-provided training on guideline development.
Required Qualifications
Chair:
- An IDSA member with clinical expertise in the diagnosis and management of hospital-acquired and ventilator-associated pneumonia and extensive knowledge of current practices and published scientific literature;
- Familiarity with principles of evidence-based medicine, the development of clinical practice guidelines and their implementation into clinical practice;
- Prior experience serving on an IDSA guideline panel;
- No perceived conflicts of interest, as defined in the ATS’s Conflict of Interest Policy for Clinical Practice Guidelines throughout the guideline development process and up to one year after the publication of the guideline;
- A commitment to adhere to the GRADE methodology and the guideline development timeline (see the ATS Handbook for Development of Clinical Practice Guidelines for more information);
- Strong leadership and diplomatic skills with experience in group facilitation, focusing on the fair and equitable participation of all members and perspectives.
Panelist:
- Relevant expertise and/or published literature related to the guideline topic;
- Extensive knowledge of and experience in clinical practice;
- Familiarity with the development of evidence-based clinical practice guidelines and implementation into clinical practice;
- A commitment to adhere to GRADE methodology and ATS’ guideline development timeline including COI requirements for guideline panelists (see the ATS Handbook for Development of Clinical Practice Guidelines for more information);
- Good organizational skills and attention to detail.
Ideal Qualifications
Chair:
- Research expertise in the diagnosis and management of hospital-acquired and ventilator-associated pneumonia actively publishing research findings;
- IDSA Fellow based on achievements in academic, research, clinical, administration, or other fields;
- High emotional intelligence and strong conflict resolution skills with experience mediating disagreements and facilitating compromise;
- Strong project management and organizational skills, willingness to delegate appropriately and lead by example to ensure that the guideline is completed in a timely manner.
How to Apply
- Complete the application (see link above), which includes describing your interest in serving as a panel member and your relevant experience for this project;
- Upload your resume or CV;
- Complete the ATS conflict of interest disclosure form. (NOTE: if you are considered to serve on the panel, you will receive a separate link to complete your disclosure form.)
Guideline Development Timeline
ATS, IDSA, and ALAT strive to complete most guidelines within 18-24 months. Therefore, it is critical that the chairs and panel members be committed to the completion of a guideline within the expected timeframe. The guideline is due for submission for peer review by December 31, 2025
Meeting Frequency
Meetings to be held as needed, by phone or video. Panel members will be asked to respond to email communications on a regular basis at all stages of the guideline development process.
Estimated Time Commitment
Chairs: 10-15 hours per month; Panelists: 2-4 hours per month. Time commitments will vary depending on the stage of guideline development.
Appointment
The IDSA Standards and Practice Guidelines Subcommittee (SPGS) Chair and Vice Chair will review the list of candidates and approve the chairs and panelists for this guideline.
Participation on the guideline panel will only be confirmed following review of potential conflicts of interest.