Developing a hospital policy for clinical pathways.

Abstract

Clinical pathways are used for planning, coordinating and facilitating the continuum of patient care from before admission to after discharge. They rapidly are changing the provision of healthcare services through improved patient care and cost containment, but they also have raised questions about possible legal ramifications. If sound policies and procedures for clinical pathways are developed and consistently adhered to by healthcare facilities, the potential for liability may be minimized while patient care is improved. This article describes a multidisciplinary task force's work to develop such policies and procedures.