Inactive ACP Guidelines
The following guidelines have been produced by the American College of Physicians. Several guidelines have been compiled into three ACP books:
- Common Diagnostic Tests (CDT), 1990
- Common Screening Tests (CST), 1991
- Clinical Practice Guidelines (CPG), 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995
| Caveat: Please bear in mind that the Clinical Efficacy Assessment Subcommittee (CEAS) - the body developing and updating guidelines - considers guidelines 5 years old and older to be no longer active. An inactive guideline may be scientifically outdated because research invalidates or casts doubts on some of the recommendations. Hence the guidelines listed below are unavailable for purchase. If the CEAS considers the guideline topic to be of continued clinical interest, CEAS will update the guideline or develop the guideline with a slightly different focus, more suitable to today's practice environment. |
Recently Published Guidelines
All Current ACP Guidelines
Clinical Field: [ Allergy and Immunology | Cardiology | Endocrinology & Metabolism | Gastroenterology | General Internal Medicine | Hematology | Infectious Diseases | Nephrology | Neurology | Oncology | Pulmonary Disease | Other Diagnostic Applications ]
Allergy and Immunology
| Title | Source and Year |
| Clinical Ecology (guideline) Abstract |
Ann Intern Med: 1989; 111:168-178 |
| Allergy Testing (guideline) | Ann Intern Med. 1989; 110:317-320
CPG-1994 |
| Diagnostic Tests for Patients with Suspected Allergic Disease: Utility and Limitations (background) Abstract |
Ann Intern Med. 1989; 110:304-312 |
Cardiology
| Title | Source and Year |
| Management of Newly Detected Atrial Fibrillation: A Clinical Practice Guideline from the American Academy of Family Physicians and the American College of Physicians (guideline) Full Text | PDF  |
Ann Intern Med. 2003; 139:1009-1017 |
| Management of Atrial Fibrillation: Review of the Evidence for the Role of Pharmacologic Therapy, Electrical Cardioversiofn, and Echocardiography (evidence review) Full Text |
Ann Intern Med. 2003; 139:1018-1033 |
| Guidelines for the Management of Patients with Chronic Stable Angina (guideline) Full Text | PDF |
Circulation 1999; 99:2829-2848
J Am Coll Cardiol 1999; 33:2092-2197 |
| Guidelines for Assessing and Managing the Perioperative Risk from Coronary Artery Disease Associated with Major Noncardiac Surgery (guideline) Full Text |
Ann Intern Med. 1997; 127:309-312 |
| Perioperative Assessment and Management of Risk from Coronary Artery Disease (background) Abstract | Full Text |
Ann Intern Med. 1997; 127:313-328 |
| Diagnosing Syncope, Part 1: Value of History, Physical Examination, and Electrocardiography (guideline) Abstract | Full Text |
Ann Intern Med. 1997; 126:989-996 |
| Diagnosing Syncope, Part 2: Unexplained Syncope (background) Abstract | Full Text |
Ann Intern Med. 1997; 127:76-86 |
| Guidelines for Risk Stratification after Myocardial Infarction (guideline) Full Text |
Ann Intern Med. 1997; 126:556-560 |
| Risk Stratification after Myocardial Infarction (background) Abstract | Full Text |
Ann Intern Med. 1997; 126:561-582 |
| Guidelines for Using Serum Cholesterol, High-density Lipoprotein Cholesterol, and Triglyceride Levels as Screening Tests for Preventing Coronary Heart Disease in Adults (guideline) Full Text |
Ann Intern Med. 1996; 124:515-517 |
| Cholesterol Screening in Asymptomatic Adults, Revisited (background) Abstract | Full Text |
Ann Intern Med. 1996; 124;518-531 |
| Automated Ambulatory Blood Pressure and Self-Measured Blood Pressure Monitoring Devices: Their Role in the Diagnosis and Management of Hypertension (guideline) | Ann Intern Med. 1993; 118:889-892
CPG-1994 |
| Ambulatory Blood Pressure Monitoring and Blood Pressure Self-Measurement in the Diagnosis and Management of Hypertension (background) Abstract |
Ann Intern Med. 1993; 118:867-882
CPG-1994 |
| Efficacy of Exercise Thallium-201 Scintigraphy in the Diagnosis and Prognosis of Coronary Artery Disease (guideline) | Ann Inter Med. 1990; 113:703-704
CPG-1994 |
| Exercise Thallium-201 Scintigraphy in the Diagnosis and Prognosis of Coronary Artery Disease (background) Abstract |
Ann Intern Med 1990; 113:684-702
CPG-1994 |
| Ambulatory Electrocardiographic (Holter) Monitoring (guideline) | Ann Intern Med. 1990; 113:77-79
CPG-1994 |
| Use of Ambulatory Electrocardiographic (Holter) Monitoring (background) Abstract |
Ann Intern Med. 1990;113:53-68
CPG-1994 |
| Screening for Hypertension Abstract |
Ann Intern Med. 1990; 112:192-202
CST-1991 |
| Preoperative and General Hospital Admission Electrocardiograms (guideline) | CDT-1990 |
| Utility of the Routine Electrocardiogram Before Surgery and on General Hospital Admission: Critical Background and New Guidelines (background) | CDT-1990 |
| Serum Enzyme Assays in the Diagnosis of Myocardial Infarction (guideline) | CDT-1990 |
| Serum Enzyme Assays in the Diagnosis of Acute Myocardial Infarction: Recommendations Based on a Quantitative Analysis (background) | CDT-1990 |
| The Resting Electrocardiogram as a Screening Test: A Clinical Analysis Abstract |
Ann Intern Med. 1989; 111:489-502
CST-1991 |
| Screening Asymptomatic Adults for Cardiac Risk Factors: The Serum Cholesterol Level Abstract |
Ann Intern Med. 1989; 110:622-39
CST-1991 |
| Evaluation of Patients after Recent Acute Myocardial Infarction (guideline) | Ann Intern Med. 1989; 110:485-488
CPG-1992 |
| The Role of Exercise Testing in Screening for Coronary Artery Disease Abstract |
Ann Intern Med. 1989; 110:456-69
CST-1991 |
| Specialized Testing after Recent Acute Myocardial Infarction (background) Abstract |
Ann Intern Med. 1989; 110:470-481
CPG-1992 |
| Cardiac Rehabilitation Services (guideline) | Ann Intern Med. 1988; 109:671-673
CPG-1994 |
| Efficacy of Cardiac Rehabilitation Services: With Emphasis on Patients After Myocardial Infarction (background) Abstract |
Ann Intern Med. 1988; 109:650-663
CPG-1994 |
| The Safety and Efficacy of Ambulatory Cardiac Catheterization in the Hospital Freestanding Setting (guideline) | Ann Intern Med. 1985; 103:294-298
CPG-1992 |
Endocrinology & Metabolism
| Title | Source and Year |
| The Evidence Base for Tight Blood Pressure Control in the Management of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (guideline) Full Text | PDF |
Ann Intern Med. 2003 |
| Treatment of Hypertension in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: Blood Pressure Goals, Choice of Agents, and Setting Priorities in Diabetes Care (evidence review) Full Text |
Ann Intern Med. 2003 |
| Screening for Thyroid Disease (guideline) Summary and Algorithm | Full Text |
Ann Intern Med. 1998; 129:141-143 |
| Screening for Thyroid Disease: An Update (background) Abstract | Full Text |
Ann Intern Med. 1998; 129:144-158 |
| Guidelines for Counseling Postmenopausal Women about Preventive Hormone Therapy (guideline) | Ann Intern Med. 1992; 117:1038-1041
CPG-1994 |
| Hormone Therapy To Prevent Disease and Prolong Life in Postmenopausal Women (background) Abstract |
Ann Intern Med. 1992; 117: 1016-1037
CPG-1994 |
| Screening Guidelines for Diabetic Retinopathy (guideline) | Ann Intern Med. 1992; 116:683-685
CPG-1994 |
| Screening for Diabetic Retinopathy (background) Abstract |
Ann Intern Med. 1992; 116:660-671
CPG-1994 |
| Screening for Thyroid Disease Abstract |
Ann Intern Med. 1990; 112:840-9
CST-1991 |
| Screening for Osteoporosis Abstract |
Ann Intern Med. 1990; 112:516-28
CST-1991 |
| Tests of Glycemia in Diabetes Mellitus (guideline) | CDT-1990 |
| Tests of Glycemia in Diabetes Mellitus: Their Use in Establishing a Diagnosis and in Treatment (background) | CDT-1990 |
| Thyroid Function Tests (guideline) | CDT-1990 |
| Testing for Suspected Thyroid Disease (background) | CDT-1990 |
| Screening for Diabetes Mellitus Abstract |
Ann Intern Med. 1988; 109:639-49
CST-1991 |
Gastroenterology
| Title | Source and Year |
| Guidelines for the Treatment of Gallstones (guideline) | Ann Intern Med. 1993; 119:620-622
CPG-1994 |
| Treatment of Gallstones (background) Abstract |
Ann Intern Med. 1993; 119:606-619
CPG-1994 |
| How to Study the Gallbladder (guideline) | Ann Intern Med. 1988; 109:752-754
CPG-1994 |
| How to Image the Gallbladder in Suspected Cholecystitis (background) Abstract |
Ann Intern Med. 1988; 109:722-729
CPG-1994 |
| Endoscopy in the Evaluation of Dyspepsia (guideline) | Ann Intern Med. 1985; 102:266-269
CPG-1994 |
General Internal Medicine
| Title | Source and Year |
| Pharmacologic Management of Acute Attacks of Migraine and Prevention of Migraine Headache (guideline) Full Text | PDF | Summary for Patients |
Ann Intern Med. 2002 |
| Pharmacological Treatment of Acute Major Depression and Dysthymia (guideline) Full Text | PDF |
Ann Intern Med. 2000; 132:738-742. |
| A Systematic Review of Newer Pharmacotherapies for Depression in Adults: Evidence Report Summary (background) Abstract | Full Text | PDF |
Ann Intern Med. 2000; 132:743-756. |
Hematology
| Title | Source and Year |
| Practice Strategies for Elective Red Blood Cell Transfusion (guideline) | Ann Intern Med. 1992; 116:403-406
CPG-1994 |
| Prudent Strategies for Elective Red Blood Cell Transfusion (background) Abstract |
Ann Intern Med. 1992; 116:393-402 |
| Complete Blood Count and Leukocyte Differential Count (guideline) | CDT-1990 |
| The Complete Blood Count and Leukocyte Differential Count: An Approach to Their Rational Application (background) | CDT-1990 |
| Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate (guideline) | CDT-1990 |
| The Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate: Guidelines for Rational Use (background) | CDT-1990 |
| Activated Partial Thromboplastin Time and Prothrombin Time (guideline) | CDT-1990 |
| Common Uses of the Activated Partial Thromboplastin Time and Prothrombin Time (background) | CDT-1990 |
Infectious Diseases
| Title | Source and Year |
| Principles of Appropriate Antibiotic Use for Treatment of Acute Respiratory Tract Infections in Adults (background) Abstract | Full Text | PDF |
Ann Intern Med. 2001 |
| Principles of Appropriate Antibiotic Use for Treatment of Nonspecific Upper Respiratory Tract Infections in Adults (guideline) Full Text |
Ann Intern Med. 2001; 134:487-489 |
| Principles of Appropriate Antibiotic Use for Treatment of Nonspecific Upper Respiratory Tract Infections in Adults (background) Abstract | Full Text |
Ann Intern Med. 2001; 134:490-494 |
| Principles of Appropriate Antibiotic Use for Acute Sinusitis in Adults (guideline) Full Text |
Ann Intern Med. 2001; 134:490-494 |
| Principles of Appropriate Antibiotic Use for Acute Rhinosinusitis in Adults (background) Abstract | Full Text |
Ann Intern Med. 2001; 134:498-505 |
| Principles of Appropriate Antibiotic Use for Acute Pharyngitis in Adults (guideline) Full Text |
Ann Intern Med. 2001; 134:506-508 |
| Principles of Appropriate Antibiotic Use for Acute Pharyngitis in Adults (background) Abstract | Full Text |
Ann Intern Med. 2001; 134:509-517 |
| Principles of Appropriate Antibiotic Use for Treatment of Acute Bronchitis in Adults (guideline) Full Text |
Ann Intern Med. 2001; 134:518-520 |
| Principles of Appropriate Antibiotic Use for Treatment of Uncomplicated Acute Bronchitis (background) Abstract | Full Text |
Ann Intern Med. 2001; 134:521-529 |
| Guidelines for Laboratory Evaluation in the Diagnosis of Lyme Disease (guideline) Full Text |
Ann Intern Med. 1997; 127:1106-1108 |
| Laboratory Evaluation in the Diagnosis of Lyme Disease (background) Abstract | Full Text |
Ann Intern Med. 1997; 127:1109-1123 |
| Blood Cultures (guideline) | CDT-1990 |
| Blood Cultures: Clinical Decisions (background) | CDT-1990 |
| Syphilis Tests (guideline) | CDT-1990 |
| Syphilis Tests in Diagnostic and Therapeutic Decision Making (background) | CDT-1990 |
| Throat Cultures and Rapid Tests for Diagnosis of Group A Streptococcal Pharyngitis (guideline) | CDT-1990 |
| Throat Cultures and Rapid Tests for Diagnosis of Group A Streptococcal Pharyngitis in Adults (background) | CDT-1990 |
Nephrology
| Title | Source and Year |
| Common Uses of Intravenous Pyelography in Adults (guideline) | Ann Intern Med. 1989; 111:83-84
CPG-1994 |
| Intravenous Pyelography: The Case Against Its Routine Use (background) Abstract |
Ann Intern Med. 1989; 111:58-70 |
| Urinalysis and Urine Culture (and Other Tests) in Women with Acute Dysuria (guideline) | CDT-1990 |
| Urinalysis and Urine Culture in Women with Dysuria (background) | CDT-1990 |
| Serum Electrolytes and Serum Osmolality (guideline) | CDT-1990 |
| Blood Urea Nitrogen Concentration and Serum Creatinine Concentration (guideline) | CDT-1990 |
| Serum Electrolytes, Serum Osmolality, Blood Urea Nitrogen, and Serum Creatinine (background) | CDT-1990 |
Neurology
| Title | Source and Year |
| Guidelines for Medical Treatment for Stroke Prevention (guideline) | Ann Intern Med. 1994; 121:54-55
CPG-1995 |
| Medical Treatment for Stroke Prevention (background) Abstract |
Ann Intern Med. 1994; 121:41-53
CPG-1995 |
| Magnetic Resonance Imaging of the Brain and Spine: A Revised Statement (guideline) | Ann Intern Med. 1994; 120:872-875
CPG-1994 |
| The Clinical Efficacy of Magnetic Resonance Imaging in Neuroimaging (background) Abstract |
Ann Intern Med. 1994; 120:856-871
CPG-1994 |
| Indications for Carotid Endarterectomy (guideline) | Ann Intern Med. 1989; 111:675-677
CPG-1994 |
| Carotid Endarterectomy (background) Abstract |
Ann Intern Med. 1989; 111:660-670
CPG-1994 |
| Diagnostic Evaluation of the Carotid Arteries (guideline) | Ann Intern Med. 1988; 109:835-837
CPG-1994 |
| When and How to Study the Carotid Arteries (background) Abstract |
Ann Intern Med. 1988; 109:805-818
CPG-1994 |
| The Diagnostic Spinal Tap (guideline) | Ann Intern Med. 1986; 104:880-885
CPG-1992 |
| The Spinal Tap: A New Look at an Old Test (background) Abstract |
Ann Intern Med. 1986; 104:840-848
CPG-1992 |
Oncology
| Title | Source and Year |
| Suggested Technique and Interpretation of the Fecal Occult Blood Test in Colorectal Cancer Screening (guideline) Full Text |
Ann Intern Med. 1997; 126:808-10 |
| Screening for Colorectal Cancer with the Fecal Occult Blood Test: A Background Paper (background) Abstract | Full Text |
Ann Intern Med. 1997; 126:811-22 |
| Screening for Prostate Cancer (guideline) Full Text |
Ann Intern Med. 1997; 126:480-484 |
| Early Detection of Prostate Cancer. Part I: Prior Probability and Effectiveness of Tests (background) Abstract | Full Text |
Ann Intern Med. 1997; 126:395-406 |
| Early Detection of Prostate Cancer. Part II: Estimating the Risks, Benefits, and Costs (background) Abstract | Full Text |
Ann Intern Med. 1997; 126:468-479 |
| Screening for Ovarian Cancer: Recommendations and Rationale (guideline) | Ann Intern Med. 1994; 121:141-142 |
| Screening for Ovarian Cancer (background) Abstract |
Ann Intern Med. 1994; 121:124-132 |
| Screening for Cervical Cancer Abstract |
Ann Intern Med. 1990; 113:214-26
CST-1991 |
| Screening for Colorectal Cancer Abstract |
Ann Intern Med. 1990; 113:373-84
CST-1991 |
| Carcinoembryonic Antigen (guideline) | CDT-1990 |
| Carcinoembryonic Antigen (background) | CDT-1990 |
| Parenteral Nutrition in Patients Receiving Cancer Chemotherapy (guideline) | Ann Intern Med.1989; 110:734-736
CPG-1994 |
| Screening for Breast Cancer Abstract |
Ann Intern Med. 1989; 111:389-99
CST-1991 |
| Screening for Lung Cancer Abstract |
Ann Intern Med. 1989; 111:232-7
CST-1991 |
| Methotrexate in Rheumatoid Arthritis (guideline) | Ann Intern Med. 1987; 107:418-419
CPG-1992 |
| Methotrexate in Rheumatoid Arthritis: Indications, Contraindications, Efficacy, and Safety (background) Abstract |
Ann Intern Med. 1987; 107:358-366
CPG-1992 |
Pulmonary Disease
| Title | Source and Year |
| Evidence Base for Management of Acute Exacerbations of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (guideline) Full Text | PDF |
Ann Intern Med. 2001; 134:595-599 |
| Management of Acute Exacerbations of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease: A Summary and Appraisal of Published Evidence (background) Abstract | Full Text |
Ann Intern Med. 2001; 134:600-620 |
| Suggested Technique and Interpretation of the Fecal Occult Blood Test in Colorectal Cancer Screening (guideline) Full Text |
Ann Intern Med. 1997; 126:808-10 |
| Preoperative Pulmonary Function Testing (guideline) | Ann Intern Med. 1990; 112:793-794
CPG-1994 |
| Indication for Pulmonary Function Testing (background) Abstract |
Ann Intern Med. 1990; 112:763-771
CPG-1994 |
| Arterial Blood Gas Analysis (guideline) | CDT-1990 |
| Indications for Arterial Blood Gas Analysis (background) | CDT-1990 |
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