Prehospital Guidelines Consortium

The Prehospital Guidelines Consortium (PGC) is a U.S.-based nonprofit organization focused on developing, implementing, and evaluating prehospital evidence-based guidelines (EBGs).

Overview

The PGC represents numerous national medical and emergency medical services (EMS) organizations committed to advancing prehospital EBGs to enhance patient outcomes. Its mission aligns with the broader efforts to transform EMS care from a traditionally based system to one grounded in scientific evidence.

Objectives

The consortium has several key objectives:

• Promote EMS EBG Development Research: Encouraging research into the development of evidence-based guidelines for prehospital care.
• Develop EMS EBGs: Creating and updating EBGs that guide clinical decision-making in prehospital settings.
• Education on EMS EBGs: Providing educational resources and promoting understanding among EMS personnel regarding EBGs.
• Implement EMS EBGs: Facilitating the integration of EBGs into prehospital protocols and practices.
• Standardized Evaluation Methods: Ensuring that guidelines are evaluated using standardized criteria to maintain quality.
• Funding for EBG-Related Projects: Securing support for projects aimed at developing and implementing EBGs.

Activities

The PGC collaborates with various national organizations to systematically review and develop high-quality guidelines. These guidelines cover a range of clinical and operational topics relevant to prehospital care, such as hemorrhage control, pain management, and time-critical conditions. The consortium's work is aligned with efforts by organizations like the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians (NREMT) and the National Association of EMS Physicians (NAEMSP) to ensure that EMS practices are evidence-based and impactful.

Systematic Reviews and Quality Assessment

The PGC conducts periodic systematic reviews to assess the quality of existing prehospital guidelines using tools like the Appraisal of Guidelines for Research and Evaluation (AGREE) II Instrument. These reviews help identify high-quality guidelines that meet standards set by organizations such as the National Academy of Medicine (NAM), ensuring they are robust and reliable enough for clinical practice and educational purposes.