Enhance pathways to make patient central focus.
With the use of electronic pathway software, case managers at Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville, TN, have been able to add unique order sets to their standard diagnosis pathways, says Irene Hatcher, MSN, RNC, coordinator of case management and clinical pathway development. "A nursing diagnosis of 'spiritual distress' is rarely, if ever, seen on a care plan, even though it may be the most frequently seen problem," she says in a report on the subject. Her facility has begun including spiritual needs order sets to its pathways.
D000046:Academic Medical Centers / Q000592:standards*; D000293:Adolescent; D000368:Aged; D019091:Critical Pathways / Q000458:organization & administration*; D017598:Efficiency, Organizational; D006801:Humans; D010327:Pastoral Care; D018802:Patient-Centered Care / Q000592:standards*; D013714:Tennessee