title: Clinical path coordinator: pulling it all together.
abstract: Institutions across the country are using different approaches to restructuring health care delivery systems. At Lehigh Valley Hospital collaborative practice was instituted to ensure the achievement of patient outcomes within appropriate time frames and with efficient use of resources. The role of the clinical path coordinator emerged from the collaborative practice model developed to manage the care of the patient with an abdominal aortic aneurysm. The step-by-step process for selecting, orienting, and implementing the role of the coordinator is discussed. Since the implementation of the coordinator role, patient satisfaction has been positive, length of stay and cost have decreased, and quality of care has improved for these patients.
authors.forename: K A
authors.initials: KA
authors.lastname: Boutron
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: King
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Matula
authors.forename: C H
authors.initials: CH
authors.lastname: Niznik
mesh_terms: D017544:Aortic Aneurysm, Abdominal / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care; D010347:Patient Care Planning; D010348:Patient Care Team