Clinical practice guidelines and shared decision-making aids

Blue Shield of California is committed to improving health with optimal outcomes. Clinical practice guidelines help by providing a summary of evidence-based recommendations for the evaluation and treatment of select common acute and chronic conditions.

Clinical practice guidelines focus on important aspects of care with recognized and measurable best practices for high-volume diagnoses.

The basis of the guidelines includes a variety of sources that are nationally recognized, or evidence-based, or are expert consensus documents. Additional points have been included where medical literature and expert opinion are noted.

Network physician involvement is a crucial part of the guideline development, as well as adoption for the organization after approval by Blue Shield committees.

Shared decision-making aids

Providers can also utilize certified decision-making tools based on their specialty. These tools assist physicians in discussing treatment options with their members (conservative to invasive) and include information on risk and potential outcomes. Patient decision-making tools aids are available on the topics of maternity and labor/delivery; total joint replacement and spine care; end of life care; and cancer screening.

View patient decision aids

Clinical practice guidelines

Guideline Consensus document
Asthma

Global Initiative for Asthma (GINA)

National Asthma Education and Prevention Program (NAEPP)

Atrial Fibrillation

American Heart Association/American College of Cardiology/Heart Rhythm Society

Cardiovascular Disease: Primary Prevention

American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association (AAC/AHA)

Chest Pain

American Heart Association/American College of Cardiology et al.

Cholesterol Management

American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association et al.

Chronic Coronary Disease

American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association et al.

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)

Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (GOLD)

Coronary Artery Disease (CAD)
Depression for children and adolescents

Content provided by the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry (AACAP)

Additional information: Patient and physician education materials

Diabetes

American Diabetes Association

Disabilities

American Psychological Association

Heart Failure

American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association/Heart Failure Society of America

Hemophilia

World Federation of Hemophilia

Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services

Hypertension

American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association et al.

Kidney Disease

National Kidney Foundation

Mental Health Treatment

Content provided by the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry (AACAP)

Content provided by American Psychiatric Association

Additional Information: Attention-deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder

Physical Activity

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services

Sepsis

Surviving Sepsis Campaign/Society of Critical Care Medicine

Sickle Cell Disease

American Society of Hematology

Substance Use Treatment

Content provided by American Psychiatric Association

Tobacco Use

American College of Cardiology

Violence and Abuse

American Medical Association

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