title: [Diagnostic-therapeutic pathways as instruments of clinical management: experience at the S. Maria Hospital in Terni].
abstract: Diagnostic-therapeutic itineraries and treatment profiles are instruments of clinical management. The authors report on their experience with the experimental creation of such itineraries in thyroid nodular pathology. These are the fruit of collaboration between the management team, endocrinological surgeons, and the hospital computer staff. The drawing-up of guidelines in the hospital setting allows the systematic organisation of clinical activities to be accomplished in the health-care facility, quantifying costs for all diseases in order to be able to plan and implement changes in resources and staff utilisation. Application of the method, in addition, helps to develop a common language among hospital doctors and nurses, facilitates proper communication with patients, and ensures adequate patient information regarding the clinical itinerary the patient will have to take for his or her condition.
authors.affiliation: SC di Chirurgia Endocrina del Collo e Tessuti Molli, AO S. Maria, Terni.
authors.forename: Roberta
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Lucchini
authors.forename: Daniela
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Donetti
authors.forename: Michele
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: D'Ajello
authors.forename: Filippo
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Calzolari
authors.forename: Diamante
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Pacchiarini
authors.forename: Lorenzina
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Bolli
authors.forename: Alessandro
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Sanguinetti
authors.forename: Efisio
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Puxeddu
authors.forename: Massimo
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Monacelli
authors.forename: Claudia
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Misso
authors.forename: Camillo
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Gianmartino
authors.forename: Luigi
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Macchitell
authors.forename: Nicola
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Avenia
mesh_terms: D019091:Critical Pathways; D003663:Decision Trees; D006751:Hospital Information Systems / Q000592:standards; D006801:Humans; D007558:Italy; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic / Q000592:standards; D011787:Quality of Health Care; D013959:Thyroid Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000628:therapy*