Care pathway initiative for people with intellectual disabilities: impact evaluation.
OBJECTIVE
To improve the integrated care of individuals with learning disabilities.


BACKGROUND
We report on the evaluation of a care pathway initiative in learning disability services.


METHODS
Three separate care pathways were developed and implemented as part of a pilot project. Improvements in parameters were independently verified.


RESULTS
Service providers and people with learning disabilities welcomed the introduction of care pathways into their services.


CONCLUSIONS
We conclude that the introduction of care pathways leads to increased communication within services, greater satisfaction and improved outcomes. These gains were achieved without an increase in resources.
Ahmad
Farooq
F
Arden Vale, Meriden, West Midlands, UK. drfahmad@msn.com
Roy
Ashok
A
Brady
Susan
S
Belgeonne
Stephanie
S
Dunn
Linda
L
Pitts
Jenny
J
D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D019985:Benchmarking / Q000458:organization & administration; D003142:Communication; D003266:Continuity of Patient Care / Q000458:organization & administration*; D019091:Critical Pathways / Q000458:organization & administration*; D004496:Education, Continuing; D004739:England; D004827:Epilepsy / Q000150:complications; D006302:Health Services Research; D006311:Hearing Disorders / Q000150:complications; D006801:Humans; D007318:Inservice Training; D007400:Interprofessional Relations; D007859:Learning Disabilities / Q000150:complications / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000150:complications; D015403:Nursing Evaluation Research; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care; D010348:Patient Care Team / Q000458:organization & administration*; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D010865:Pilot Projects; D015397:Program Evaluation; D011785:Quality Assurance, Health Care / Q000458:organization & administration*; D013222:State Medicine / Q000458:organization & administration