title: Development and implementation of a clinical pathway for spinal cord injuries.
abstract: The authors have developed a clinical pathway for the treatment of spinal cord injuries to help improve patient care. A clinical pathway for the treatment of patients with spinal cord injury was developed through a multidisciplinary approach. The control group (group 1) consisted of patients who were treated in the 2 years before the initiation of the pathway. Data from patients treated in conjunction with this pathway were collected prospectively (group 2). Thirty-six patients were treated in conjunction with the pathway compared with 22 in the control group. Group 2 had 6.8 fewer intensive care unit days, 11.5 fewer hospital days, 6 fewer ventilator days (p < 0.05), and a lower rate of complications. The use of a clinical care pathway for spinal cord injuries has resulted in improved patient care and fewer complications.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurologic Surgery, University of Louisville School of Medicine, Louisville, Kentucky 40202, U.S.A. Tvitaz@niky.com
authors.forename: T W
authors.initials: TW
authors.lastname: Vitaz
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: McIlvoy
authors.forename: G H
authors.initials: GH
authors.lastname: Raque
authors.forename: D A
authors.initials: DA
authors.lastname: Spain
authors.forename: C B
authors.initials: CB
authors.lastname: Shields
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003363:Cost Control; D003422:Critical Care / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D019091:Critical Pathways / Q000592:standards; D017048:Health Care Costs; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D007902:Length of Stay; D008875:Middle Aged; D009989:Orthotic Devices; D010348:Patient Care Team; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000453:epidemiology; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012121:Respiration, Artificial / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D013119:Spinal Cord Injuries / Q000601:surgery / Q000628:therapy*