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The effectiveness of a “critical pathway” in the management of laryngectomy patients
Author(s) -
Levin Roger J.,
Ferraro Richard E.,
Kodosky Sharon R.,
Fedok Fred G.
Publication year - 2000
Publication title -
head and neck
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.012
H-Index - 127
eISSN - 1097-0347
pISSN - 1043-3074
DOI - 10.1002/1097-0347(200010)22:7<694::aid-hed9>3.0.co;2-0
Subject(s) - laryngectomy , clinical pathway , medicine , care pathway , medical record , critical pathways , intensive care medicine , surgery , nursing , larynx , health care , business , process management , economics , economic growth
Background This is a retrospective review of medical and financial records to test the hypothesis that the use of a critical pathway specifically designed for the management of laryngectomy patients will result in improved patient care, decreased length of hospitalization, and optimal allocation of resources. Methods Thirty patients undergoing laryngectomy before the implementation of the laryngectomy critical pathway were compared with 30 patients after implementation of the pathway. Clinical outcomes, length of hospitalization, and cost analyses were performed. Results Adjusting for two outliers, the average length of stay for pathway patients was 7.3 days vs 12 days for prepathway patients. A total estimated cost‐savings of $204,000 was ultimately achieved. Conclusions Our laryngectomy critical pathway has resulted in improved patient care and optimized allocation of medical resources. © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Head Neck 22: 694–699, 2000.