Abstract
Aim: The aim of this study was to analyse methodological quality of selected clinical guidelines for the management of pressure ulcers with the use of AGREE II tool. Material and methods: Descriptive study with qualitative research methodology.
The evaluated clinical guidelines were identified and selected through a literature search and according to suggestions from international scientific societies focused on wound management. In total, four pairs of assessors evaluated methodological quality of four international clinical guidelines using the AGREE II tool (the Appraisal of Guidelines for REsearch & Evaluation).
Six domains of quality were evaluated: Scope and Purpose, Stakeholder Involvement, Rigour of Development, Clarity of Presentation, Applicability, Editorial Independence. Results: The selected clinical guidelines had relatively high methodological quality and all of them were suggested for use in clinical practice by the assessors after some minor corrections with respect to the Czech clinical practice.
All of the evaluated guidelines had the highest score in the Scope and Purpose domain (more than 80%). There were rather substential differences in other domains.
The lowest score was in the following domains : Applicability Rigour of Development and Editorial Independence. Conclusion: Methodological quality of all selected and evaluated clinical guidelines for the management of pressure ulcer was quite high except the Editorial Independence and Rigour of Development domains.
Evaluation of clinical guidelines with the use of AGRE II was conducted as part of a process of adaptation of clinical guidelines for the Czech healthcare settings. Over all methodological quality was the highest for the Prevention and Treatment of Pres sure Ulcers : Quick Reference Guide (85.71%).