Clinical pathway for hip arthroplasty six years after introduction
International Journal of Health Care Quality Assurance
ISSN: 0952-6862
Article publication date: 1 April 2006
Abstract
Purpose
This paper seeks to analyse clinical pathways (CP) as a useful tool for the improvement of all aspects of quality in medical assistance – in this case, hip arthroplasty.
Design/methodology/approach
The study was carried out on patients who had undergone scheduled hip arthroplasty included in CP during the years 1999 to 2004. Data on demographics, lengths of stay, complications, process and result variables were gathered, coverage was calculated and the evolution of the indicators was compared.
Findings
A total of 487 patients were enrolled, with five leaving the pathway and with unequal coverage, leading to a maximum peak of 77 per cent in 1999. A statistically significant decrease exists in the consumption of overall stays and in the pre‐surgical stay, which dropped from a mean of 19.41 days in the pre‐pathway situation to 10.12 days in 2004 and 4.5 days pre‐surgery to 1.08 days. As a process indicator, the performance should be highlighted of post‐operation check‐up radiographies, which have been gaining high levels of compliance (p < 0.05) since 2001. The rate of complications has remained stable over the years.
Originality/value
Implementing the CP has meant a sustained saving of resources over the years and an improvement in the organization of work.
Keywords
Citation
Jimenez Muñoz, A.B., Duran Garcia, M.E., Rodriguez Perez, M.P., Sanjurjo, M., Vigil and Vaquero, J. (2006), "Clinical pathway for hip arthroplasty six years after introduction", International Journal of Health Care Quality Assurance, Vol. 19 No. 3, pp. 237-245. https://doi.org/10.1108/09526860610661455
Publisher
:Emerald Group Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2006, Emerald Group Publishing Limited