12.1 Introduction

SIGN is a collaborative network of clinicians, other health care professionals, and patient organisations funded by the Clinical Resource and Audit Group (CRAG) of the Scottish Executive Health Department. SIGN guidelines are developed by multidisciplinary groups using a standard methodology, based on a systematic review of the evidence. Further details about SIGN and the guideline development methodology are contained in SIGN 50: A guideline developer's handbook.

12.2 THE GUIDELINE DEVELOPMENT GROUP

Dr John Winter (Chairman), Respiratory Physician, Kings Cross Hospital, Dundee
Ms Francesca Chappell, Information Officer, SIGN
Dr Graham Douglas, Consultant Physician, Aberdeen Royal Infirmary
Dr Ali El-Ghorr, Programme Manager, SIGN
Dr Iain Farmer, General Practitioner, Cill Chuimein Medical Centre, Fort Augustus
Dr Iain Gould, Consultant Microbiologist, Aberdeen Royal Infirmary
Dr Alison Grove, Consultant Physician, Royal Hampshire County Hospital, Winchester
Mrs Pauline Hamilton, Lecturer in Nursing, Glasgow Caledonian University
Dr Helene Irvine, Public Health Consultant, Greater Glasgow Health Board
Dr Gavin Lindsay, Consultant Bacteriologist, Southern General Hospital, Glasgow
Dr Carol McKinnon, General Practitioner, Castlemilk Health Centre, Glasgow
Dr Kathleen Onori, General Practitioner, The Richmond Practice, Bo'ness
Dr Gavin Petrie, Consultant Physician, Victoria Hospital, Kirkcaldy
Dr Nigel Pexton, General Practitioner, Williamwood Medical Centre, Glasgow
Mr Ken Schofield, Grampian Health Contact, Lossiemouth
Dr Philip Welsby, Consultant in Infectious Diseases, Western General Hospital, Edinburgh

The membership of the guideline development group was confirmed in consultation with the member organisations of SIGN. Declarations of interests were made by all members of the guideline development group. Further details are available on request. Guideline development and literature review expertise, support, and facilitation were provided by the SIGN Executive.

12.3 Systematic literature review

A thorough literature search was undertaken in Medline, Embase, and Healthstar to obtain material from 1985 to 1999 inclusive. The results of an Internet search on key websites were passed on to the Chairman of the group. All material was assessed and evidence synthesised in accordance with SIGN methodology. Material not deemed to be of sufficient quality was discarded.

This guideline was issued in 2002 and will be considered for review in 2005, or sooner if new evidence becomes available. Any updates to the guideline will be noted on the SIGN website: http://www.sign.ac.uk

12.4 Consultation and peer review

12.4.1 NATIONAL OPEN MEETING

A national open meeting is the main consultative phase of SIGN guideline development, at which the guideline development group present their draft recommendations for the first time. The national open meeting for this guideline was held on 9 February 2001 and was attended by 150 representatives of all the key specialties relevant to the guideline. The draft guideline was also available on the SIGN web site for a limited period at this stage to allow those unable to attend the meeting to contribute to the development of the guideline.

12.4.2 SPECIALIST PEER REVIEW

The guideline was also reviewed in draft form by a panel of independent expert referees, who were asked to comment primarily on the comprehensiveness and accuracy of interpretation of the evidence base supporting the recommendations in the guideline. SIGN is very grateful to all of these experts for their contribution to this guideline.

Dr Jim Beattie, General Practitioner, Inverurie
Dr Alan Begg, General Practitioner, Montrose
Dr Peter Christie, Consultant Epidemiologist, Scottish Centre for Infection & Environmental Health
Dr Hamish Greig, Chairman, Scottish Association of Community Hospitals
Dr Steven Haigh, Chairman, Antibiotic Working Group, Lothian Joint Formulary and General Practitioner, West Calder
Dr Catherine Higgott, General Practitioner, Isle of Skye
Professor Sean Hilton, Department of General Practice, St George's Hospital Medical School, London
Dr Bill Holmes Group Medical Director, Nestor Healthcare Group, Nottingham
Dr John Macfarlane, Respiratory Physician, Nottingham City Hospital
Dr Allan Merry, General Practitioner, Ayrshire
Professor David Price, Professor of Primary Care Respiratory Medicine, University of Aberdeen
Ms Nicola Ring, Nurse Co-ordinator, Clinical Effectiveness Programme (Primary Care)
Professor Lewis Ritchie, Department of General Practice & Primary Care, University of Aberdeen
Professor Robert Stockley, Professor of Medicine, Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Birmingham
Dr Mark Woodhead, Respiratory Physician, Manchester Royal Infirmary

12.4.3 SIGN EDITORIAL GROUP

As a final quality control check, the guideline was reviewed by an Editorial Group comprising the relevant specialty representatives on SIGN Council:

Dr David Alexander, British Medical Association Scottish General Practice Committee
Professor Gordon Lowe, Chairman of SIGN
Dr Lesley MacDonald, Faculty of Public Health Medicine
Ms Juliet Miller, Director of SIGN
Dr Margaret Roberts, Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Glasgow

12.5 Acknowledgements

SIGN is grateful to the following former members of the group and others who have contributed to the development of this guideline:

Dr Bill Carman, Director, Regional Virus Laboratory, Glasgow
Ms Ann Kerr, Programme Manager, Health Education Board for Scotland
Dr Charles Langan, General Practitioner, Glasgow
Dr David Hawson, General Practitioner, Aberdeen
Mrs Margaret MacDonald, Specialist Respiratory Nurse, Stobhill Hospital, Glasgow (deceased)
Dr Safia Qureshi, Senior Programme Manager, SIGN
Dr Olivia Wu, Research Associate, Department of Public Health, University of Glasgow