Clinical Pathway
What is a clinical pathway?
Clinical pathways are a vital tool for improving patient care. By outlining the recommended course of treatment for a particular condition, clinical pathways help to improve patient outcomes, reduce costs, and improve communication.
- Improved patient outcomes: Studies have found that patients treated according to a clinical pathway have shorter hospital stays, lower mortality rates, and fewer readmissions than those who are not. Understanding comorbidities also helps healthcare providers map out a patient’s clinical pathway.
- Reduced costs: Clinical pathways can also help to reduce the overall cost of healthcare. By ensuring that patients receive the most appropriate care, clinical pathways can help avoid unnecessary tests and procedures, saving both money and time.
- Improved communication: A clinical pathway can also improve communication between healthcare professionals, as it provides a clear and concise plan of care that everyone can follow. This can help to avoid any mistakes or confusion, which can ultimately lead to better patient care.
Why is a clinical pathway important to healthcare?
Clinical pathways help to reduce:
- The length of stay
- Readmission rates
- Mortality rates
Therefore, healthcare organizations need to invest in quality improvement initiatives that include the use of clinical pathways. When used correctly, clinical pathways can be a powerful tool for improving the quality of care provided by healthcare organizations.