ASE supports collaboration with other medical societies and organizations that develop clinical practice guidelines, appropriate use criteria, position statements, and other communications related to echocardiographic imaging. ASE views collaboration as an opportunity to harmonize clinical recommendations, improve the delivery of patient care, and advance cardiovascular ultrasound to improve lives.
Guidelines and other clinical guidance documents developed by external organizations may be considered for ASE endorsement when they address topics relevant to ASE and its membership and meet the basic criteria for review, including:
- Medical and scientific soundness.
- Alignment with ASE policies.
- Alignment with the ASE strategic plan.
At the discretion of the ASE Executive Committee, a request for review of a submitted clinical guidance document may not be accepted. Submission and review do not guarantee endorsement, and ASE endorsement does not guarantee publication in the Journal of the American Society of Echocardiography (JASE).
ASE Endorsement Process
ASE endorsement requires:
- Formal review by the ASE Guidelines and Standards Committee to assess the appropriateness of endorsement.
- Approval by the ASE Executive Committee.
External organizations may approach ASE to request review and endorsement of guidelines developed without ASE involvement. Although such documents may be considered, the likelihood of consideration is increased when ASE has been involved in, and has knowledge of, the development process.
Organizations seeking ASE endorsement must submit the guideline to ASE Guidelines staff for consideration and complete ASE’s Endorsement Letter of Agreement (LOA). The requesting organization should submit the final manuscript along with the endorsement request.
Categories of ASE Recognition
Clinical guidelines developed by external organizations that are relevant to patient care in cardiovascular ultrasound may be categorized as follows:
Endorsed
The guideline meets ASE’s criteria for endorsement, and ASE fully endorses the document.
Whenever feasible, ASE’s involvement in the development and review of an endorsed document should include one or more of the following:
- ASE representation on the writing committee, with at least one member appointed by the ASE Executive Committee.
- ASE participation in peer review of the final document.
- The sponsoring organization’s written response to ASE peer-review comments and provision of the final document to ASE for review.
Affirmation of Value
The guideline does not meet the requirements for full endorsement, or ASE cannot endorse all of the recommendations. However, ASE determines that the guideline provides value in improving patient care as it relates to the advancement of cardiovascular ultrasound.
Not Endorsed
ASE does not endorse the guideline.
Dissemination of Endorsed Documents
If ASE fully endorses a document:
- ASE may disseminate the document to its members with permission from the primary organization.
- ASE may request permission to publish the full document, a portion of the document, or a summary on the ASE website, or to provide a link to the article after publication by the primary organization.
The requesting organization should submit the endorsement request and final manuscript to ASE Guidelines staff for consideration.
