title: Clinical pathways in the perioperative setting.
abstract: Clinical pathways have been implemented in a variety of health-care settings. They serve as a useful tool for case managers in acute care settings as well as ambulatory care settings, skilled care facilities, and long-term care facilities. The use of these tools in the perioperative setting, along with variance documentation and data feedback is presented here. By creating tangible definitions of quality in the perioperative setting, clinical pathways improve patient care and assure clinical consistency and continuity of care.
authors.affiliation: University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, Iowa City, Iowa.
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Ibarra
authors.forename: T A
authors.initials: TA
authors.lastname: Laffoon
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Snyder
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Gambrall
authors.forename: S R
authors.initials: SR
authors.lastname: Olson
mesh_terms: D019090:Case Management; D001026:Coronary Artery Bypass / Q000451:nursing; D019091:Critical Pathways; D005568:Forms and Records Control; D006801:Humans; D009737:Nursing Records; D009871:Operating Room Nursing / Q000458:organization & administration*; D011785:Quality Assurance, Health Care / Q000458:organization & administration*