Care pathways

A care pathway or integrated care pathway (ICP) is a multidisciplinary document or flow chart outlining the anticipated sequence of care within a service, helping people with a specific condition or set of symptoms move progressively through from referral to discharge.

The sequence is usually set against timescales for achieving each step.

The pathway models the service but variations are allowed, when explicitly justified, as clinical freedom is exercised to meet the needs of individuals. Such pathways are important because they set out a clear expectaion of the service for staff, managers, patients and their carers and help to reduce unnecessary variations in patient care and outcomes. They support the development of care partnerships and empower patients and their carers.

In producing care pathways local and national guidelinesshould be incorporated.

The pathways help in the management of  clinical risk and are an important tool inclinical governance.

When designing and introducing care pathways, it is important to incorporate them into organisational strategy and to support them with appropriate clinical policies (eg with regard to waiting list management, confidentiality, record keeping choose appropriate topics which will provide opportunities for improvement.

Peoples progress through the pathway should be routinely monitored and documented.

Papers

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