Open AccessThe perceived and objectively measured effects of clinical pathways' implementation on medical care in China
Author(s) -
Jie Bai,
Fei Bai,
H. Zhu,
Dong Xue
Publication year - 2018
Publication title -
plos one
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.99
H-Index - 332
ISSN - 1932-6203
DOI - 10.1371/journal.pone.0196776
Subject(s) - medicine , chart , logistic regression , medical care , medline , china , family medicine , medical emergency , medical record , emergency medicine , statistics , mathematics , political science , law , radiology
Substantial resources have been expended on clinical pathways (CPs), but the reported effects of CPs on medical care vary considerably. This study sought to determine the effects of CPs on medical care in Chinese hospitals, including the perceived effects of CPs on medical care and the objectively measured patient outcomes. Methods Study data were obtained from 54 public hospitals in three provinces of China in 2015. Hospital questionnaires, employee surveys, and chart reviews were used to collect data related to hospital characteristics, the implementation of CPs and compliance status, perceived effects of CPs, and objectively measured patient outcomes. Logistic regression models and linear regression models were adopted in this study. Results The effects of CPs were not highly perceived by the hospitals or by the managers and physicians in China. The relatively low involvement in the implementation of and adherence to CPs resulted in CPs having no significant effects on hospital medical care as a whole. However, a chart review of 5 conditions in Chinese hospitals demonstrated that compliance with national CPs reduced the length of stay (LOS) and inpatient medical costs. Conclusions CPs should be implemented widely and followed closely to improve hospital medical care as a whole, and further studies should be conducted to identify the key elements of the effects of CPs on patient clinical outcomes.