Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 14, 2026
03:22
Microbiological Rapid On-Site Evaluation for Pulmonary Infectious Diseases
Published on: March 1, 2024
Transparent development of the WHO rapid advice guidelines
Holger J Schünemann1, Suzanne R Hill, Meetali Kakad
1Italian National Cancer Institute Regina Elena, Department of Epidemiology, Rome, Italy. Schuneh@mcmaster.ca
Plos Medicine
|May 31, 2007
Summary
The World Health Organization (WHO) developed a rapid, transparent process for creating avian influenza A (H5N1) treatment guidelines. This systematic approach efficiently synthesizes evidence to inform clinical and policy decisions during emerging health crises.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Infectious Disease Management
- Guideline Development
Background:
- Emerging health threats necessitate swift, evidence-based guidance.
- Uncertainty in pharmacological management of avian influenza A (H5N1) required rapid advice.
Purpose of the Study:
- To describe the development and pilot testing of a systematic, transparent approach for WHO rapid advice guidelines.
- To address member state needs for guidance on H5N1 infection management.
Main Methods:
- Conducted a comprehensive literature search for systematic reviews and non-trial evidence on influenza and H5N1.
- Convened a multidisciplinary panel of experts for evidence review and guideline development.
- Utilized evidence profiles to summarize key clinical and policy questions.
Main Results:
- The WHO developed a rapid guideline development process in response to H5N1 concerns.
- Evidence profiles and draft guidelines were prepared in five weeks.
- A draft manuscript was finalized within 10 days post-panel meeting.
- The process demonstrated transparency and efficiency.
Conclusions:
- The developed WHO process is a transparent and time-efficient method for creating rapid advice guidelines.
- Areas for improvement include reducing evidence profile commissioning time and enhancing stakeholder involvement.
- Further evaluation is needed to ensure guideline utility and impact.
Related Concept Videos
01:17Transmission-based Precautions I: Contact, Enteric, and Droplets
Transmission-based precautions are for patients known to be infected or suspected to be infected or colonized with organisms that pose a significant risk to others. Some transmission-based precautions include contact, enteric, and droplet.
Contact Precautions:
Contact precautions are the measures taken to prevent the transmission of infectious agents, especially epidemiologically important microorganisms such as MRSA or influenza, primarily transmitted through direct or indirect contact with an...
Contact Precautions:
Contact precautions are the measures taken to prevent the transmission of infectious agents, especially epidemiologically important microorganisms such as MRSA or influenza, primarily transmitted through direct or indirect contact with an...
01:26Standard Precaution
Standard precautions are the minimum infection control safeguards used while caring for all patients, irrespective of their disease condition. They help prevent the spread of common infectious microorganisms to healthcare workers, patients, and visitors in all healthcare settings.
Hand hygiene is the most crucial means to prevent the transmission of disease. Employers are legally required to provide their workers with personal protective equipment (PPE) to minimize exposure or contact with...
Hand hygiene is the most crucial means to prevent the transmission of disease. Employers are legally required to provide their workers with personal protective equipment (PPE) to minimize exposure or contact with...
01:18Guidelines and Strategies for Safe Computer Charting
The guidelines and strategies provided by the American Nurses Association (ANA) and the Canadian Nurses Association (CNA) offer essential principles for ensuring safe and secure computer charting systems in healthcare settings. Let's break down each recommendation:
Maintain Confidentiality and Security:
Maintain Confidentiality and Security:
01:25Transmission-based Precautions II: Airborne and Protective Environment
Transmission-based precautions are for patients infected or suspected to be infected (or colonized) with organisms posing a significant risk to others. The transmission precautions include airborne and protective environment precautions.
Airborne precautions:
Use airborne precautions when treating patients known or suspected to have diseases that spread through the air—for example, tuberculosis or measles. These organisms are present in smaller droplets expelled by an infected person and...
Airborne precautions:
Use airborne precautions when treating patients known or suspected to have diseases that spread through the air—for example, tuberculosis or measles. These organisms are present in smaller droplets expelled by an infected person and...
01:28International Nursing Organizations II
The World Health Organization (WHO) is a specialized agency of the United Nations based in Geneva. The WHO has many initiatives that center around health. Primarily, they lead global efforts to expand universal health coverage using science-based policies and programs. They are also responsible for shaping health research agendas and developing norms and standards.
The WHO provides expert team support, including funding, vaccines, testing, and treatment tools at the country level to fight...
The WHO provides expert team support, including funding, vaccines, testing, and treatment tools at the country level to fight...
01:11Blinding
Blinding is a commonly used method of not telling participants which treatment a subject is receiving. Blinding is a critical part of a randomized control trial or RCT. It reduces the bias that affects the results. In an RCT, blinding is used in the form of a placebo. A placebo effect occurs when untreated subjects falsely believe they have received the treatment and report improved symptoms. A placebo or a dummy treatment is administered to subjects to negate the bias caused by such an effect.