The American Urogynecologic Society (AUGS) has developed the following clinical documents to promote the highest quality patient care in urogynecology and reconstructive pelvic surgery. The development of these documents is coordinated by the AUGS Publications Committee.
Best Practice and Consensus Statements
Clinical Consensus Statements (CCSs) are statements based on expert opinion and the best available evidence for which consensus is sought using an explicit methodology to identify areas of agreement. Clinical Consensus Statements are now developed in place of Best Practice Statements.
Clinical Guidance
Clinical Practice Statements
Clinical Practice Statements (CPS) are quality-driven, evidence-based guidelines intended to optimize patient care, which are supported by high-level evidence documents. These documents summarize current information on techniques and clinical management issues for the practice of urogynecology. They should place quality improvement at the forefront, using current best evidence to prioritize recommendations.
Committee Opinions and Practice Bulletins
The following committee opinions and practice bulletins have been developed jointly with the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG). These are assessments of emerging issues in female pelvic medicine and reconstructive surgery and are reviewed regularly for accuracy.
| Asymptomatic Microscopic Hematuria in Women | Committee Opinion, April 2017, Reaffirmed 2024 |
| Management of Mesh Complications in Gynecologic Surgery | Committee Opinion, April 2017, Reaffirmed 2021 |
| Pelvic Organ Prolapse | Practice Bulletin, November 2019, Reaffirmed 2024 |
| Urinary Incontinence in Women | Practice Bulletin, November 2015, Reaffirmed 2022 |
| Evaluation of Uncomplicated Stress Urinary Incontinence in Women Before Surgical Treatment | Committee Opinion, June 2014, Reaffirmed 2024 |
E-book
| Pelvic Floor: Foundational Science and Mechanistic Insights for a Shared Disease Model (AUGS-IUGA Joint Publication) Publications Committee Interview |
June 2022 |
Editorial
| In Pursuit of Patient-Centered Innovation: The Role of Professional Organizations (AUGS-IUGA Joint Editorial) | February 2020 |
Position Statements
Position Statements are documents on scientific or medical issues relating to urogynecology. These statements provide AUGS’ official position on health policy topics and should include a detailed description and supported by evidence.
| Restriction of Surgical Options for Pelvic Floor Disorders | May 2024 |
| Information and Guidance on the Adoption of Surgical Innovation and Technology in Urogynecology Publications Committee Interview |
March 2023 |
| Joint Position Statement on the Management of Mesh-Related Complications for the FPMRS Specialist (AUGS-IUGA Joint Publication) Patient Summary: Management of Mesh-Related Complications |
April 2020, January 2022 |
| Statement on Gender Affirmation | November 2022 |
| Joint Position Statement on Midurethral Slings for Stress Urinary Incontinence FAQ document by Providers on Mesh Midurethral Slings for Stress Urinary Incontinence FAQ document by Patients on Mesh Midurethral Slings for Stress Urinary Incontinence Midurethral Sling Supplemental Information Checklist |
December 2021, Reaffirmed 2024, December 2021, December 2021, March 2021 |
| WITHDRAWN Restriction of Surgical Options for Pelvic Floor Disorders | March 2013 |
Privileging Guidelines
| Guidelines for Privileging and Credentialing Physicians for Sacrocolpopexy for Pelvic Organ Prolapse | March 2013, Reaffirmed 2021 |
Research Reports and Conference Reports
AUGS Research Reports are developed by an AUGS Committee, Special Interest Group, Network, or Registry group. These reports are written presentations of the group’s findings. Conference Reports are summary reports/findings of presentations delivered at an AUGS meeting/conference.
Systematic Reviews
Systematic Reviews identify, appraise, and synthesize all relevant studies on a particular topic. The methodological quality of the studies included are assessed on the basis of explicit criteria, such as whether they are randomized trials, the presence of a pre-test or a control group.
Terminology Reports
Terminology Reports address the approved standards for reporting data/information to ensure consistency in terminology. These reports should highlight the issues created by poor terminology, propose a clearer set of definitions related to set end points; and provide greater clarity in reporting, interpretation, application, and implications for researchers and practitioners.
Legal Disclaimer: The information above is intended to provide patients and physicians with general information, and is not intended to substitute for the treating physician’s clinical judgment. The treating physician should make all treatment decisions based upon his or her independent judgment and the patient’s individual clinical presentation.
