Improvement in resource utilization after development of a clinical pathway for patients with pressure ulcers. Plast Reconstr Surg 1998 Nov;102(6):2006-11
Date
11/12/1998Pubmed ID
9810998DOI
10.1097/00006534-199811000-00030Scopus ID
2-s2.0-0031773737 (requires institutional sign-in at Scopus site) 19 CitationsAbstract
Clinical pathways are interdisciplinary patient care plans intended to reduce variance and improve quality of care while lowering health care cost. This study was undertaken to determine whether the development of a clinical pathway for care of patients with pressure ulcers can indeed decrease health care costs while preserving quality of care. A clinical pathway for surgical reconstruction of pressure ulcers was developed by standardizing the current practices of our plastic surgeon group. The pathway provided direction in optimal scheduling of physician interventions along with nursing, physical and occupational therapies, and spinal cord rehabilitation interventions. It covered all potential elements of patient care, including laboratory, radiology, dietary services, intravenous fluids, and use of specialty beds. It defined patient outcomes and outlined discharge planning. Pathways were distributed throughout all services caring for patients with pressure ulcers. Patient charts and billing data were reviewed for the 16-month periods before and after initiation of the pathway. No other significant changes in treatment occurred during this time frame. Ninety-seven patient charts were examined (54 before pathway and 43 after pathway implementation). Parameters evaluated included length of stay and total charges (including bed use, medications, laboratory tests, and radiology). Patient readmission rate was also examined. A significant reduction in patient length of stay and total charges was achieved after implementation of the clinical pathway. Reduction was seen not only for patients treated with flaps by plastic surgery but also for patients with pressure ulcers who were not specifically targeted such as those from other services. The readmission rate decreased slightly, although not significantly, after the pathway inception. Total cost saving was almost $11,000 per patient (23 percent). In conclusion, implementation of a clinical pathway, because it standardizes care and reduces variations and duplication of care, can reduce health care cost without impairing quality of care in the treatment of decubitus ulcer patients.
Author List
Dzwierzynski WW, Spitz K, Hartz A, Guse C, Larson DLAuthor
William W. Dzwierzynski MD Professor in the Plastic Surgery department at Medical College of WisconsinMESH terms used to index this publication - Major topics in bold
Costs and Cost AnalysisCritical Pathways
Hospital Charges
Humans
Length of Stay
Patient Discharge
Patient Readmission
Pressure Ulcer
Retrospective Studies
Treatment Outcome
