title: [Development of a clinical pathway for the attention of patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis in a regional network. ALS Assistance Network-Comunidad de Madrid].
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) requires complex multidisciplinary attention. Clinical pathways are assistance plans for certain diseases with a predictable course. These plans are established in isolated centers, not in multicenter regions. The aim is to develop a clinical pathway capable of organizing and homogenizing assistance given in ALS Assistance Network-Comunidad de Madrid which is made up of five hospitals, from the beginning until the end of the disease.
  
  
  METHODS
  In successive meetings, neurologists of these hospitals and members of the Madrid Health Service evaluated published therapeutic guidelines and other documents used in ALS assistance. A clinical pathway was developed adapting this information to social-health care conditions in the Comunidad de Madrid following the FOCUS-PDCA model.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A clinical pathway was created consisting of a scientist-technical framework which arranges the attention in relationship to the diagnosis and treatment, according to the degree of disease progression and a chronogram. This is accompanied by several patient information documents on the disease and the tests that are required, and a patient assistance evaluation form. The standards are established to reach and to promote 354 constant improvement in patient care.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Clinical pathway for the ALS assistance in a regional network organizes the attention and cares that the patients must receive from the beginning to the end of the disease. This arrangement and homogenization of the attention improves the quality of patient care, diminishes variability and rationalizes the use of the health care resources.
authors.affiliation: Asociación Madrileña de Neurología, Servicio de Neurología, Hospital Universitario La Paz, Madrid.
authors.forename: F J
authors.initials: FJ
authors.lastname: Rodríguez de Rivera
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Grande
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: García-Caballero
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Muñoz-Blanco
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Mora
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Esteban
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Guerrero
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Matias-Guiu
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: de Andrés-Colsa
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Buey
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Díez-Tejedor
mesh_terms: D000690:Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis / Q000628:therapy*; D019058:Community Networks; D019091:Critical Pathways; D006801:Humans; D013030:Spain