A clinical protocol is a structured, evidence-based plan that outlines the procedures, steps, and decision-making criteria for diagnosing, managing, or treating a specific medical condition.
📌 Key Features
Standardized: Ensures consistency across clinicians and departments.
Evidence-based: Based on current clinical guidelines or studies.
Step-by-step: Defines clear diagnostic or therapeutic actions.
Contextualized: Adapted to the resources and workflow of the clinical setting.
🧠Purposes
Reduce variability in patient care.
Improve safety, outcomes, and efficiency.
Support onboarding and clinical training.
Serve as a reference in high-risk or urgent situations.
📚 Examples
Stroke protocol: IV thrombolysis within 4.5 hours + thrombectomy criteria.
DVT prophylaxis: Enoxaparin dosing post-surgery with timing.
Sepsis protocol: Early antibiotics, fluid resuscitation, and lactate targets.
Perioperative steroids: Tapering regimens for autoimmune patients.
✅ Notes
Clinical protocols are often integrated into electronic health records (EHRs).
They differ from clinical guidelines, which are broader and more flexible.
Protocols are usually developed by institutional committees or expert panels.