Purpose

  • To define the topics of, assign authors to, and assist in the development of practice guidelines.

Tasks:

The Committee will:

  • Select authors and define topics for Practice Guidelines in a manner consistent with the AASLD Policy on Development and Use of Practice Guidelines.
  • Review submitted guidelines and present them to the governing board within fifteen months of author invitation.
  • Review published guidelines within three years of publication or according to a schedule defined at the time of guideline development.
  • Recommend journal of publication for approved guidelines.
  • Coordinate the process of guideline review and development among GI societies.
  • Review guidelines from other GI societies on liver-related topics and present them to the governing board for approval, when applicable.
  • Coordinate all meeting logistics through the association's staff.
  • Work within the budget and policies set forth by the governing board.

The Chair will:

  • Direct the process of guideline development.
  • Report regularly to the governing board on the status of guideline development.
  • Interact regularly with the AASLD president, Governing Board, and board liaison.
  • Submit a written meeting report, if applicable, to each Governing Board Meeting.  Submit a year-end summary of completed and upcoming activities relating to the strategic plan.
  • Make policy recommendations to the Governing Board.

Size, Term, Composition: (Committee has 18 members in 2014.)

  • The committee will be composed of eighteen (18) members, who are expert in clinical hepatology and have been an AASLD member for at least five years prior to their appointment.
  • Members should represent experts in adult hepatology, pediatrics, surgery, and epidemiology.   Committee members will serve staggered three-year terms.
  • The chair will serve in that capacity for three years, and thus may extend his/her term on the committee to up to six years.  Subcommittees may be formed by the chair to deal with specific issues.

Appointment:

  • Committee members will be selected by the AASLD president-elect, with the advice and consent of the governing board.
  • The chair and vice-chair will be appointed by the AASLD president-elect from the committee members who have already served at least one year. 
  • Special ad hoc members can be assigned to specific topics at the request of the chair and approval of the AASLD president.

Governing Board Liaison:

  • A board liaison will be appointed to the committee for the purpose of sharing information between committee members, the Governing Board, and staff.

Report to:

  • The committee should provide to the board an annual summary of the committee's activities for inclusion in the governing board minutes.

Meetings:

  • The number of meetings to be held each year will be determined by the chair, based upon approval of the governing board budget items.

Work Outside of Meetings:

  • Conference calls may be arranged by the chair to aid communication or to discuss time sensitive issues.
  • Committee members will be expected to review committee materials prior to meetings and conference calls.  Individual committee members may be assigned additional tasks by the chair.

Costs:

Individual committee members will be reimbursed in accordance with association policy.

Relates to Goal:

Goal 1.2     Continue to provide leadership in scientific publications and Clinical Practice      Guidelines.
Goal 3.1     Engage providers to design and deliver targeted patient care resources.