TABLE 2.

Steps in the development of the draft recommendations.

Steps	Activity and/or application
Step 1: consider recommendations’ remit	Identification of the scope and/or objectives and purpose of the recommendations.
Step 2: identify key issues to be included in the recommendations	The draft recommendations were developed based on gaps identified in data derived from a questionnaire exploring and describing the knowledge and practices of 62 radiographers regarding infection control (referring to the issues of houses, cleanliness of rooms and personal cleanliness, as outlined in Table 1) in radiology departments of four referral hospitals in Malawi (Nyirenda 2017).
Step 3: undertake scoping literature search	A critical literature review was used to substantiate the findings from the questionnaire (see step 2).
Step 4: start drafting the plan and prepare the first draft	Drafting of the recommendations was done using the data derived from the questionnaire and the literature review used. For the format of the draft recommendations, an adapted version of the AGREE II tool for guideline development was used (AGREE 2009).
Step 5: hold stakeholder workshop	The recommendations were reviewed by the second and third authors who are experienced in developing recommendations in the fields of radiography and nursing.
Step 6: consult on the draft scope	A meeting for consensus between the authors was held.
Step 7: finalise the scope after consultation	Relevant suggestions made by the second and third authors were considered.

Source: Adapted from National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE), 2012, The guidelines manual. Process, viewed 02 March 2017, from http://www.nice.org.uk/process/pmg6

AGREE II, Appraisal of Guidelines for Research and Evaluation II.