Practice Guidelines
Preventive and clinical practice guidelines are based on the health needs and opportunities for improvement identified as part of the Quality Assurance Program Improvement (QAPI) program. Whenever possible, Louisiana Healthcare Connections adopts preventive and clinical practice guidelines that are published by nationally recognized organizations or government institutions as well as state-wide collaborative and/or a consensus of healthcare professionals in the applicable field. Printed hard copies are available upon request.
Medical Practice Guidelines
- Focused Updates to the Asthma Management Guidelines: A Report from the National Asthma Education and Prevention Program Coordinating Committee Expert Panel Working Group. (2020) - U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS); National Institute of Health (NIH); National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI)
- GINA Report, Global Strategy for Asthma Management and Prevention. (2024) - Global Initiative for Asthma (GINA)
- VA/DoD Clinical Practice Guideline: The Primary Care Management of Asthma. (2019) - Department of Veterans Affairs and the Department of Defense (VA/DoD)
- VA/DoD Clinical Practice Guideline: Diagnosis and Treatment of Low Back Pain. (2022) - Department of Veterans Affairs and the Department of Defense (VA/DoD)
- Noninvasive Treatments for Acute, Subacute, and Chronic Low Back Pain: A Clinical Practice Guideline from the American College of Physicians. (April 2017) - American College of Physicians
- Diagnosis and Treatment of Low Back Pain. (PDF) (2020) - North American Spine Society (NASS)
- ASCO Guidelines by Clinical Area - American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO)
- ASTRO Guidelines by Clinical Area - American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO)
- NCCN Guidelines Treatment by Cancer Type - National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN)
- Expert Panel on Integrated Guidelines for Cardiovascular Health and Risk Reduction in Children and Adolescents. The Report of the Expert Panel (October 2012) - U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS); National Institute of Health (NIH); National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI)
- Routine Assessment and Promotion of Physical Activity in Healthcare Settings; A scientific statement from the American Heart Association (Circulation 2018; 137:e495–e522) - American Heart Association (AHA)
- American College of Cardiology Clinical Practice Guidelines by Topic - American College of Cardiology
- The Care of Children with Congenital Heart Disease in Their Primary Medical Home (2017) - American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and the American College of Cardiology (ACC)
- Global Strategy for the Diagnosis, Management, and Prevention of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease. (2025 Report) - The Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (GOLD)
- Pharmacologic Management of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease. An Official American Thoracic Society Clinical Practice Guideline. (2020) - American Thoracic Society
- VA/DoD Clinical Practice Guideline for the Management of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease. (2021) - United States Department of Veteran Affairs (VA) and the Department of Defense (DoD)
- Overview of Testing for SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19). (Updated August 2024) - Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
- IDSA Guidelines of the Treatment and Management of Patients with COVID-19. (Updated August 2024) - Infectious Disease Society of America (IDSA)
- Clinical Management of COVID-19: Living Guideline. (August 2023) - World Health Organization (WHO)
- Surviving Sepsis Campaign: International Guidelines for Management of Severe Sepsis and Septic Shock. (2021) - Society of Critical Care Medicine and European Society of Intensive Care Medicine
- The Third International Consensus Definitions for Sepsis and Septic Shock (Sepsis-3). - Journal of the American Medical Association
- American Association of Clinical Endocrinology Clinical Practice Guideline: Developing a Diabetes Mellitus Comprehensive Care Plan. (2022 Update) - American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists and American College of Endocrinology
- Standards of Care in Diabetes (2024) - American Diabetes Association (ADA)
- VA/DoD Clinical Practice Guidelines Management of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus. (2023) - United States Department of Veteran Affairs (VA) and the Department of Defense (DoD)
- AHA/ACC/AACVPR/AAPA/ABC/ACPM/ADA/AGS/APhA/ASPC/NLA/PCNA Guideline on the Management of Blood Cholesterol. (2018) - American College of Cardiology (ACC), American Heart Association (AHA) Task Force on Clinical Practice Guidelines
- VA/DoD Clinical Practice Guidelines Management of Dyslipidemia for Cardiovascular Risk Reduction. (2020) - United States Department of Veteran Affairs (VA) and the Department of Defense (DoD)
- Guidelines by Topic: Epilepsy - American Academy of Neurology and American Epilepsy Society
- AGS Beers Criteria® for Potentially Inappropriate Medication Use in Older Adults. (PDF) (2023) - American Geriatrics Society (AGS)
- Choosing Wisely - American Board of Internal Medicine (ABIM) Foundation
- WFH Guidelines for the Management of Hemophilia. (PDF) 3rd Edition. - World Federation of Hemophilia
- International Society on Thrombosis and Haemostasis clinical practice guideline for treatment of congenital hemophilia A and B based on the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation methodology. - International Society on Thrombosis and Haemostasis
- Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) Infection: Screening. (2019) - United States Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF)
- Prevention of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) Infection: Preexposure Prophylaxis. (2023) - United States Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF)
- Routine Human Immunodeficiency Virus Screening. (2024) - American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG)
- Federally Approved Clinical Practice Guidelines for HIV/AIDS. - U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) National Institutes of Health (NIH)
- 2017 ACC/AHA/AAPA/ABC/ACPM/AGS/APhA/ASH/ASPC/NMA/PCNA Guideline for the Prevention, Detection, Evaluation, and Management of High Blood Pressure in Adults (PDF) (2018) - Journal of the American College of Cardiology
- Blood Pressure Targets in Adults With Hypertension: A Clinical Practice Guideline From the AAFP. (2022) - American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP)
- International Society of Hypertension Global Hypertension Practice Guidelines. (2020) - American Heart Association (AHA) International Society of Hypertension (ISH)
- VA/DoD Clinical Practice Guidelines Diagnosis and Management of Hypertension (HTN) in Primary Care (2020) - United States Department of Veteran Affairs (VA) and the Department of Defense (DoD)
- Prevention and Control of Seasonal Influenza with Vaccines: Recommendations of the ACIP United States, 2024–25 Influenza Season. - Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP)
- Recommended Immunization Schedule for Adults Aged 19 Years or Older, United States. (2025) - Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP)
- Child and Adolescent Immunization Schedule. Recommendations for Ages 18 years or younger, United States. (2025) - Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP)
- Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention. - Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
- Guideline for clinical management of exposure to lead. (2021) - World Health Organization (WHO)
- Transitions of Care in the Long-Term Care Continuum Clinical Practice Guidelines. - American Medical Directors Association (AMDA) The Society for Post-Acute and Long-Term Care Medicine
- Guidelines for Prescribing Opioids for Chronic Pain. (2022) - Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
- VA/DoD Clinical Practice Guidelines Use of Opioids in the Management of Chronic Pain. (2022) - United States Department of Veteran Affairs (VA) and the Department of Defense (DoD)
- Clinical Practice Guidelines for the Diagnosis and Treatment of Postmenopausal Osteoporosis. (2020) - American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists (AACE) and American College of Endocrinology (ACE)
- ACOG Clinical Practice Guideline No. 1. Osteoporosis Prevention, Screening, and Diagnosis. (2021) - American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG)
- ACOG Clinical Practice Guideline No. 2. Management of Postmenopausal Osteoporosis. (April 2022) - American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG)
- Pharmacological Management of Osteoporosis in Postmenopausal Women: An Endocrine Society Guideline Update. (2020) - Endocrine Society
- Clinical Practice Guidelines for Quality Palliative Care, 4th edition (NCP Guidelines). (2018) - National Coalition for Hospice and Palliative Care
- AFP by Topic: Prenatal Care. (publication dates vary) - American Academy of Family Physicians
- AFP by Topic: Labor, Delivery, and Post-Partum Issues. (publication dates vary) - American Academy of Family Physicians
- Guidelines for Perinatal Care, Eighth Edition. (2017) - American Academy of Pediatrics
- Management of Adults With Hospital-acquired and Ventilator-associated Pneumonia: 2016 Clinical Practice Guidelines by the Infectious Diseases Society of America and the American Thoracic Society (PDF) (2016) - Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA)
- Diagnosis and Treatment of Adults with Community-acquired Pneumonia. An Official Practice Guideline of the American Thoracic Society and Infectious Diseases Society of America. (2019) - American Thoracic Society (ATS), Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA)
Adult
- Adult Preventive Service Recommendations (Grades A and B). -United States Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF)
- Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR) - Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
- Recommendations for Well-Woman Care. - Women’s Preventive Services Initiative (WPSI), American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG)
Pediatric
- Periodicity of Examination, Preventive Dental Services, Anticipatory Guidance/Counseling, and Oral Treatment for Infants, Children, and Adolescents. - American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry
- Adolescent and Pediatric Preventive Service Recommendations. -United States Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF)
- Periodicity Schedule: Recommendations for Preventive Pediatric Health Care. (PDF) (2024) - American Academy of Pediatrics
- Adult and Pediatric treatment recommendations. - Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
- AFP by Topic: Respiratory Tract Infections. (publication dates vary) - American Academy of Family Physicians
- Guideline for the Treatment of Rheumatoid Arthritis. (2021) - American College of Rheumatology (ACR)
- Evidence-Based Management of Sickle Cell Disease: Expert Panel Report. (PDF) (2014) - National Institutes of Health Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute
- ASH Clinical Practice Guidelines on Sickle Cell Disease. - American Society of Hematology
- National Standards for Systems of Care for Children and Youth with Special Health Care Needs. (PDF) (2017) - Association Of Maternal and Child Health Programs and the National Academy for State Health Policy
- Tobacco and Nicotine Cessation During Pregnancy. Committee Opinion No. 807. (May 2020, Reaffirmed 2023) - American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG)
- Cessation Materials for State Tobacco Control Programs. - Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
- Tobacco Smoking Cessation in Adults, Including Pregnant Persons: Interventions. (2021) - United Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF)
- Tobacco Use in Children and Adolescents: Primary Care Interventions. (April 2020, update in progress) - United Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF)
- WHO clinical treatment guideline for tobacco cessation in adults. - World Health Organization (WHO)
- NCCN Clinical Practice Guidelines in Oncology, Smoking Cessation, Version 3.2022. - National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN)
- Management and Rehabilitation of Post-Acute Mild Traumatic Brain Injury (mTBI) (2021) - United States Department of Veteran Affairs (VA) and the Department of Defense (DoD)
- Pediatric Obesity-Assessment, Treatment, and Prevention: An Endocrine Society Clinical Practice Guideline. - Endocrine Society
- Clinical Practice Guidelines For The Perioperative Nutrition, Metabolic, and Nonsurgical Support of Patients Undergoing Bariatric Procedures. (2019 Update) - American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists (AACE), The Obesity Society, American Society of Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery, Obesity Medicine Association, and American Society of Anesthesiologists
- Medical Nutrition Therapy Interventions Provided by Dietitians for Adult Overweight and Obesity Management: An Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics EvidenceBased Practice Guideline. (2022) - Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics
- IFSO-WGO Guidelines on Obesity. (2023) - World Gastroenterology Organisation and International Federation for the Surgery of Obesity and Metabolic Diseases (IFSO)
- American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists and American College of Endocrinology Comprehensive Clinical Practice Guidelines for Medical Care of Patients with Obesity. - American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists and American College of Endocrinology
- Clinical Practice Guideline for the Evaluation and Treatment of Children and Adolescents with Obesity. (2023) - American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP)
- Final Recommendation Statement High Body Mass Index in Children and Adolescents: Interventions. - U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF)
- VA/DoD Clinical Practice Guideline Management of Adult Overweight and Obesity (OBE). (2020) - United States Department of Veteran Affairs (VA) and the Department of Defense (DoD)
- AGA Clinical Practice Guideline on Pharmacological Interventions for Adults with Obesity. (2022) - American Gastroenterological Association (AGA)
- Clinical Testing and Diagnosis for Zika Virus Disease. (2024) - Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
Behavioral Health Practice Guidelines
- Guidance on Strategies to Promote Best Practice in Antipsychotic Prescribing for Children and Adolescents. (March 2019) - Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA)
- Generalized Anxiety Disorder and Panic Disorder in Adults. - American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP)
- Clinical Practice Guideline for the Assessment and Treatment of Children and Adolescents with Anxiety Disorders. (May 2020) - American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry (AACAP)
- Clinical Practice Review for Social Anxiety Disorder. (2015) - Anxiety and Depression Association of America (ADAA)
- Clinical Practice Guideline for the Diagnosis, Evaluation, and Treatment of AttentionDeficit/Hyperactivity Disorder in Children and Adolescents. (2019, Correction March 2020) - American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP)
- Identification, Evaluation, and Management of Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder. (2020) - American Academy of Pediatrics
- Applied Behavior Analysis Practice Guidelines for the Treatment of Autism Spectrum Disorder, Third Edition. (April 2024) - The Council of Autism Service Providers (CASP)
- Practice Parameters for Telehealth-Implementation of Applied Behavior Analysis, Second Edition. (2021) - The Council of Autism Service Providers (CASP)
- Management of Bipolar Disorder (BD). (2023) - United States Department of Veteran Affairs (VA) and the Department of Defense (DoD)
- Practice Guideline for the Treatment of Patients with Borderline Personality Disorder, Second Edition. - American Psychiatric Association (APA)
- Practice Guideline on the Use of Antipsychotics to Treat Agitation or Psychosis in Patients with Dementia. (2016) - American Psychiatric Association (APA)
- Evaluation of Dementia and Age-Related Cognitive Change. (PDF) (2021) - American Psychological Association (APA)
- Management of Major Depressive Disorder (MDD). (2022) - United States Department of Veteran Affairs (VA) and the Department of Defense (DoD)
- Nonpharmacologic and Pharmacologic Treatments of Adults in the Acute Phase of Major Depressive Disorder: A Living Clinical Guideline. - American College of Physicians (ACP)
- Clinical Practice Guideline for the Treatment of Depression Across Three Age Cohorts. (2019) - American Psychological Association (APA)
- Clinical Practice Review for Major Depressive Disorder (MDD). (2020) - Anxiety and Depression Association of America (ADAA)
- Clinical Practice Guideline for the Assessment and Treatment of Children and Adolescents with Major and Persistent Depressive Disorders. (PDF) (May 2023) - American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry (AACAP)
- Practice Guideline for the Treatment of Patients with Eating Disorders, Fourth Edition. (2023) - American Psychiatric Association (APA)
- Clinical Practice Guideline for Multicomponent Behavioral Treatment of Obesity and Overweight in Children and Adolescents. (March 2018) - American Psychological Association (APA)
- Clinical Practice review for OCD. (2015) - Anxiety and Depression Association of America (ADAA)
- Practice Parameter for the Assessment and Treatment of Children and Adolescents with Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder. (2012) - American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry (AACAP)
- Clinical Practice Guideline for the Management of Substance Use Disorders. (2021) - United States Department of Veteran Affairs (VA) and the Department of Defense (DoD)
- Clinical Guidance for Treating Pregnant and Parenting Women With Opioid Use Disorder and Their Infants. (PDF) (2018) - Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA)
- Federal Guidelines for Opioid Treatment Programs. (2024) - Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA)
- National Practice Guideline For the Treatment of Opioid Use Disorder. (2020) - American Society of Addiction Medicine (ASAM)
- American Society of Addiction Medicine. ASAM Criteria, 4th Edition. (2023) - American Society of Addiction Medicine (ASAM)
- Practice Guideline for the Pharmacological Treatment of Patients with Alcohol Use Disorder. (2018) - American Psychiatric Association (APA)
- Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. Evidence-based Practices Resource Center. - Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA)
- Opioid Use and Opioid Use Disorder in Pregnancy. ACOG Committee Opinion Number 711. (2012, reaffirmed 2021) - The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG)
- Clinical Practice Guideline on the Management of Stimulant Use Disorder. - American Society of Addiction Medicine (ASAM)
- Clinical Practice Guideline on Alcohol Withdrawal Management. - American Society of Addiction Medicine (ASAM)
- Clinical Practice Guideline for the Management of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder and Acute Stress Disorder. (2023) - United States Department of Veteran Affairs (VA) and the Department of Defense (DOD)
- Clinical Practice Guideline for the Treatment of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) in Adults. (2017) - American Psychological Association (APA)
- Practice Guideline for the Treatment of Patients with Schizophrenia, Third Edition. - American Psychiatric Association (APA)
- Management of First-Episode Psychosis and Schizophrenia. (2023) - United States Department of Veteran Affairs (VA) and the Department of Defense (DoD)
- Clinical Practice Guideline for the Assessment and Management of Patients at Risk for Suicide. (2024) - Department of Veterans Affairs and the Department of Defense (VA/DoD)
- Suicide Prevention. (2023) - National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)
- Suicide Prevention. (February 2023) - American Psychiatric Association (APA)
- Zero Suicide Consensus Guide for Emergency Departments. - Zero Suicide, Education Development Center (EDC)