Like research-based information, clinical guidelines should be evaluated for the quality of their sources. At the least, it's a good idea to read the developers' policy statement about how evidence was selected and what values were applied in making recommendations for care. Guidelines can also be valuable sources of infor-mation for evidence-based care. When published, they're considered to define the appropriateness of care by explaining the indications for tots or treatments.
Guidelines and protocols provide an overall frame-work for delivering a standard of care.