TABLE 6. Strength of Recommendation and Quality of Evidence
Category/Grade
Definition
Strength of Recommendation
A
Good evidence to support a recommendation for use.
B
Moderate evidence to support a recommendation for use.
C
Poor evidence to support a recommendation.
Quality of Evidence
I
Evidence from ≥ 1 properly randomized, controlled trial.
II
Evidence from ≥ 1 well-designed clinical trial without randomization,
from cohort or case-controlled analytic studies (preferably from > 1
center), from multiple time-series, or from dramatic results from
uncontrolled experiments.
III
Evidence from opinions of respected authorities based on clinical
experience, descriptive studies, or reports of expert committees.
Table adapted from Canadian Task Force on the Periodic Health Examination.
Abbreviations
d, day(s); DFA, direct fluorescent antibody staining; FUO, fever of unknown origin; h, hour(s);
IDSA, Infectious Diseases Society of America; IFA, indirect fluorescent antibody staining; kg,
kilogram; mg, milligram; min, minutes; RT-PCR, reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction
Source
Harper SA, Bradley JS, Englund JA, et al. Seasonal influenza in adults and children – diagnosis,
treatment, chemoprophylaxis, and institutional outbreak management: clinical practice
guidelines by the Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA).
Disclaimer
This Guideline attempts to define principles of practice that should produce high-quality patient care. It focuses on
the needs of primary care practice, but also is applicable to providers at all levels.
This Guideline should not be considered exclusive of other methods of care reasonably directed at obtaining the same
results. The ultimate judgment concerning the propriety of any course of conduct must be made by the clinician after
consideration of each individual patient situation.
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