An Informal History of the Sanford Guide
Introduction

The Sanford Guide to Antimicrobial Therapy continues to be one of the most frequently used and widely relied upon references in medicine. With ever-increasing challenges posed by new and re-emerging infectious diseases, this concise, well-annotated pocket reference remains a staple in lab coat pockets throughout the world. Our current editorial board-- David N. Gilbert, MD; George M. Eliopoulos, MD; Robert C. Moellering, MD; and Merle A. Sande, MD-continues its fine work in reviewing the literature for the annual update of the Sanford Guide. The Sanford Guide to Antimicrobial Therapy can be had in more ways than ever: the long-familiar pocket-sized edition which so many of our readers first became acquainted with in medical school or as residents; the spiral-bound edition and even larger desk/library edition for those of us whose eyesight just isn't what it used to be; and now, the same content found in the print editions is available in electronic editions for Palm OS and Pocket PC based PDA devices and smartphones. Each electronic edition contains the full content, including all of the references, of the print editions. For those familiar with the print edition, the user interface provides a familiar look and feel.

 The Sanford Guide in Production

The Sanford Guide to Antimicrobial Therapy was the creation of Jay P. Sanford, MD in the late 1960s when he was Professor of Medicine and Chief of the Infectious Diseases Service at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical School in Dallas.


Putting the Sanford Guide Together

The early editions of the Sanford Guide to Antimicrobial Therapy were put together at Jay Sanford's desk in Dallas, Texas. The first editions were printed in small quantities and circulated among physicians in the North Texas area. Since Dr. Sanford's death in 1996, an editorial board of eminent infectious diseases physicians has diligently prepared the annual update. The circulation and readership of the Sanford Guide has grown steadily over the years. It is now circulated throughout the US, Canada, Europe, Asia, South America, Africa, and the Pacific in over 100 countries in English and many other languages.

Dr. Sanford served as the sole editor of the Sanford Guide until 1994. The editorial process occurred throughout each year, as Dr. Sanford would read and pull relevant articles from the journals and other literature. In December of each year, he would sort through the references he had pulled during the preceding year and update the text. The updates reflected new drugs, new indications for existing drugs and other relevant commentary from the literature. In the 1980s, he enlisted David N. Gilbert, MD and Merle A. Sande, MD to serve as informal peer reviewers. Dr. Gilbert's familiarity with the Sanford Guide dated back to the early editions produced when he was completing his training at Southwestern Medical School. In the mid-1990s, Dr. Gilbert, Dr. Sande and Robert C. Moellering, Jr., MD joined Dr. Sanford as co-editors. They have continued to serve as the editorial board for the Sanford Guide since Dr. Sanford's death in 1996.

The Sanford Guide to HIV/AIDS Therapy

In 1992, the Sanford Guide to HIV/AIDS Therapy was developed to address the spread of this new disease. Readers of the HIV/AIDS Guide will see a shift in focus in this year's edition. With the advent of the current generation of antiretroviral drugs and evermore sophisticated diagnostic tests, HIV disease and AIDS have evolved from public health crisis to a "manageable" infectious disease-at least in the United States. The same cannot be said for Africa and many parts of Asia where drugs and diagnostic tests remain in short supply. In areas where the disease is most rampant, the most sophisticated diagnostic equipment on hand is often no more than a scale and thermometer. For each physician in the United States who has at his or her disposal the latest drugs and best equipment, and who doesn't have to worry about the sterility of a syringe, there are many more physicians in other parts of the world who have no effective choice but to do more with less in treating their patients. Recognizing the immensity of the challenge to physicians under these circumstances, the content of the Sanford Guide to HIV/AIDS Therapy is continually refocused to better assist all physicians in treating HIV disease and AIDS with best means each has at hand.

The Editorial Process

The editorial process employed today remains much the same as it began: the editors review the published literature throughout the year in preparation for "Guide Review" meetings held twice each year. At Guide Review, relevant references are discussed and exchanged, comments and inquiries from readers are reviewed, current "good practices" are discussed as well as trends and new developments in the anti-infective field. It is an intensive effort and the discussion is often quite spirited. Sanford Guide Review is, perhaps, the ultimate CME course. Decisions regarding content are made solely by the editors. Though distributed through a variety of means, each edition of the Sanford Guide is independently prepared and produced. The purpose has been and remains to provide the health care professional with a concise, handy reference that can be consulted readily at the point of care.