Pathways can improve perioperative process.

Abstract

With today's emphasis on horizontal and vertical integration of patient care services, caregivers are turning to clinical pathways to more effectively manage perioperative patients. Often, such pathways are generic (covering, for instance, all orthopedic or all vascular procedures). Such paths are especially helpful for organizations wishing to use the path for documentation purposes. In developing perioperative pathways, identify the specific patient care outcomes to be achieved; review patient records, nursing practice standards, and other materials to identify the common elements of care; and decide upon a process for reporting variances.