Protocol Version Registry
A reference record showing how every educational protocol document carries a version, a last-reviewed date, a next-review date, and a defined review cycle.
The American Society of Hirudotherapy maintains a registry of educational reference protocol documents. The registry exists so that institutions can see, at a glance, which version of a reference document they are reading, when it was last reviewed, when it is next scheduled for review, and where it sits in the review cycle.
Every document in the registry is an educational reference. It is written to help institutions, educators, and clinicians understand how a topic is structured and documented — not to issue instructions. Each reference protocol must be adapted to local context and formally approved by the receiving institution before it is used. The registry records governance metadata; it does not authorize care.
What every protocol document carries
To be listed in the registry, a reference protocol document must carry four pieces of governance metadata. These fields make the document auditable and let any reader judge how current it is.
Version
A unique version identifier (for example v2.1) so readers and institutions can cite exactly which edition they relied on.
Last reviewed
The date the document last completed a full editorial and evidence review, so currency is transparent.
Next review
The date the document is next scheduled for review, so readers know when content will be re-examined.
Status
Where the document sits in its review cycle: current, in review, review due, or superseded by a newer version.
The review cycle
Every reference protocol document follows a defined, repeating review cycle. On a fixed cadence — and sooner if new evidence or a regulatory change warrants it — each document is re-examined, its metadata is updated, and a new version is issued where the content changes.
Scheduled review
Each document carries a next-review date. When that date arrives, the document enters review and its status changes accordingly.
Evidence and editorial re-examination
Reviewers check the content against current evidence, regulatory references, and editorial standards, and record what changed.
New version and dates
A new version identifier is assigned, the last-reviewed date is set to the review date, and a new next-review date is scheduled. The prior version is marked superseded.
Out-of-cycle updates
If new evidence or a regulatory change is material, a document can be reviewed and re-versioned before its scheduled date rather than waiting for the next cycle.
Illustrative registry
The table below illustrates the structure of the registry. The rows are illustrative placeholders that show the columns and field formats — they are not a live published schedule. Each row records a document, its version, its last-reviewed date, its next-review date, and its status in the review cycle.
| Document (illustrative) | Version | Last reviewed | Next review | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Reference protocol — venous congestion adjunct (educational) | v2.1 | March 2025 | March 2027 | Current |
| Reference protocol — documentation and consent template | v1.4 | November 2024 | November 2026 | Current |
| Reference protocol — contraindication screening checklist | v3.0 | January 2025 | January 2027 | In review |
| Reference protocol — device handling and storage guidance | v1.2 | June 2023 | June 2025 | Review due |
| Reference protocol — adverse-event reporting outline | v2.0 | August 2024 | August 2026 | Current |
| Reference protocol — early draft (replaced) | v0.9 | February 2022 | n/a | Superseded |
Why versioned review matters for institutions
Versioned, dated review is reference infrastructure that institutions can rely on. It lets a hospital, clinic, or training program answer practical governance questions without guesswork.
Auditability
A version and review date let an institution cite exactly which edition of a reference informed its own locally approved documents.
Currency
A next-review date makes it clear when content is scheduled to be re-examined, so institutions are not relying on material of unknown age.
Change tracking
Superseding old versions with new ones creates a clear record of how reference content has evolved over time.
Local accountability
Because each document is a versioned reference, the institution that adopts it can record which version it reviewed and approved for local use.