title: A clinical pathway for ostomy care in the home: process and development.
abstract: The health care environment is changing rapidly both in form and funding. Recognition of the need for organized, cost-efficient services across the health care continuum has resulted in a model identified as a clinical pathway. This article compares and contrasts key elements of the clinical pathway model as they apply to the acute care setting versus the home care setting. An example of a clinical pathway for ostomy patients in the home care setting is presented, followed by a discussion of its development, pilot testing, and outcomes evaluation. Conclusions regarding the validity of clinical pathways in home care are discussed, and the need for further research is considered.
authors.affiliation: Bergen Community Health Care, Westwood, New Jersey, USA.
authors.forename: J V
authors.initials: JV
authors.lastname: Mitchel
mesh_terms: D003152:Community Health Nursing / Q000458:organization & administration*; D019091:Critical Pathways / Q000458:organization & administration*; D006699:Home Care Services / Q000458:organization & administration*; D006801:Humans; D009737:Nursing Records; D010030:Ostomy / Q000451:nursing*