by Christine Woolstenhulme, QCC, QMCS, CPC, CMRS
July 17th, 2018
It is essential for providers, clinicians, and other users to understand the importance of providing preventative services. The U.S. Preventative Services Task Force (USPSTF) has recommendations and has applied Grade Definitions as a suggested resource to imply the significance and strength of preventative services. The following definitions apply to recommendations voted on after July 2012. The USPSTF states “Determining whether or not the service should be offered or provided to an individual patient will typically require an informed conversation between the clinician and patient.”
Affordable Care Act and U.S. Preventive Services Task Force Recommendations
Grade | Definition | Suggestions for Practice |
A | The USPSTF recommends the service. | There is high certainty that the net benefit is substantial. Offer or provide this service. |
B | The USPSTF recommends the service. There is high certainty that the net benefit is moderate or there is moderate certainty that the net benefit is moderate to substantial. | Offer or provide this service. |
C | The USPSTF recommends selectively offering or providing this service to individual patients based on professional judgment and patient preferences. There is at least moderate certainty that the net benefit is small. | Offer or provide this service for selected patients depending on individual circumstances. |
D | The USPSTF recommends against the service. There is moderate or high certainty that the service has no net benefit or that the harms outweigh the benefits. | Discourage the use of this service. |
I | The USPSTF concludes that the current evidence is insufficient to assess the balance of benefits and harms of the service. |
Read the clinical considerations section of USPSTF Recommendation Statement. If the service is offered, patients should understand the uncertainty about the balance of benefits and harms. |
Levels of Certainty Regarding Net Benefit (Per USPSTF)
Level of Certainty* | Description |
High |
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Moderate |
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Low |
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More information may allow estimation of effects on health outcomes.
References: