Transparency matters: Kaiser Permanente's National Guideline Program methodological processes.

Introduction: The practice-guideline process of collecting, critically appraising, and synthesizing available evidence, then developing expert panel recommendations based on appraised evidence, makes it possible to provide high-quality care for patients. Unwanted variability in the quality and rigor of evidence summaries and Clinical Practice Guidelines has been a long-standing challenge for clinicians seeking evidence-based guidance to support patient care decisions.

Methods: A multidisciplinary group of stakeholders, with representation from all eight Kaiser Permanente Regions, is responsible for creating National Guidelines.

Patient-reported outcomes among omalizumab and salmeterol/fluticasone combination therapy patients.

Background: Some asthma patients remain poorly controlled despite receiving care consistent with treatment guidelines.

Objective: This study compared the ability to sleep, work, and participate in leisure activities among subjects with immunoglobulin E-mediated (allergic) asthma initiating omalizumab (omalizumab start group) with subjects receiving moderate-to-high doses of salmeterol/fluticasone combination therapy, who continued on salmeterol/fluticasone combination therapy for at least a year without adding omalizumab (salmeterol/fluticasone combination continuation group).

Methods: Subjects completed an Internet-based screener and, if eligible, an Internet-based questionnaire.

Use and impact of an automated telephone outreach system for asthma in a managed care setting.

Objective: To test the ability of an automated telephone outreach intervention to reduce acute healthcare utilization and improve quality of life among adult asthma patients in a large managed care organization.

Study Design: Randomized clinical trial.

Methods: Patients with persistent asthma were randomly assigned to telephone outreach (automated = 3389, live caller = 192) or usual care (n = 3367).