Do protocols/guidelines actually improve outcomes?

Critical illness and injury that results in intensive care unit (ICU) admission requires complex, coordinated, and often invasive treatment. The sheer number of clinicians, consultants, and caregivers coordinating the rapid delivery of life-saving therapy to patients with evolving physiology in a busy environment can make it challenging to ensure that all patients receive appropriate and evidence-based care. One way to increase the chance of receiving proper care and to decrease the possibility of unnecessary variation in practice is to create protocols that explicitly delineate desired care pathways. Protocolization allows for consideration of specific preset treatment algorithms for patients who have life-threatening illness or injury. While no single protocol or guideline will be appropriate for all patients, a well-developed protocol is a good starting point to deliver appropriate care for many patients with life-threatening illness and injury.