Critical Pathway Implementation Guide

From The Critics

Reviewer: Anna M. McDaniel, DNS, RN(Indiana University School of Nursing)
Description: This brief book focuses on the implementation and management of critical pathways in health care. The role of pathways as a key component of an integrated clinical data management process is discussed.
Purpose: The authors do not define their purpose for the book, although it can be assumed that the objective is to provide a concise guide to managing critical pathways in a health care organization. The authors present a template for implementation of critical pathways.
Audience: A large body of literature already exists on critical pathways. Most administrators and clinicians with experience in using pathways would find this book too basic, although the information would be helpful as a quick reference guide or training manual.
Features: It is easy to read with ample tables that enhance the presentation. Examples of pathways are helpful for explaining key points. Flow charts and diagrams are used to illustrate decision making steps. Sample policies and procedures for developing and implementing critical pathways are included in the appendix.
Assessment: This is part of a series by the authors about critical pathways. The intended focus of this book is on implementation and management of pathways. It opens with a basic discussion of reengineering principles. Critical pathways are proposed as a method to integrate current quality and utilization review activities within an organization. The succeeding chapters do not provide specific information to assist with reengineering and focus entirely on processes for implementing pathways. Much of the information in the body of the text is included in other publications by the authors. The final two chapters introduce methods for determining fiscal impact of pathways and the relationship between pathways and case management. However, these topics are not discussed in sufficient depth to be helpful for most clinicians.

Anna M. McDaniel

This brief book focuses on the implementation and management of critical pathways in health care. The role of pathways as a key component of an integrated clinical data management process is discussed. The authors do not define their purpose for the book, although it can be assumed that the objective is to provide a concise guide to managing critical pathways in a health care organization. The authors present a template for implementation of critical pathways. A large body of literature already exists on critical pathways. Most administrators and clinicians with experience in using pathways would find this book too basic, although the information would be helpful as a quick reference guide or training manual. It is easy to read with ample tables that enhance the presentation. Examples of pathways are helpful for explaining key points. Flow charts and diagrams are used to illustrate decision making steps. Sample policies and procedures for developing and implementing critical pathways are included in the appendix. This is part of a series by the authors about critical pathways. The intended focus of this book is on implementation and management of pathways. It opens with a basic discussion of reengineering principles. Critical pathways are proposed as a method to integrate current quality and utilization review activities within an organization. The succeeding chapters do not provide specific information to assist with reengineering and focus entirely on processes for implementing pathways. Much of the information in the body of the text is included in other publications by the authors. The final two chapters introduce methods for determining fiscal impact of pathways and therelationship between pathways and case management. However, these topics are not discussed in sufficient depth to be helpful for most clinicians.

Booknews

Promoting critical pathways as a way to reengineer essential health care processes, Eugene, Oregon experts Wall and Proyect focus on the specifics of implementing this route to improving patient outcomes, meeting JCAHO/NCQA standards, maximizing reimbursement, and controlling clinical costs. Such specifics encompass: pathway terms, policies and procedures; development of support mechanisms; measurement, and utilization of results; and determination of the fiscal impact of (hopefully) improved clinical processes. Annotation c. by Book News, Inc., Portland, Or.

2 Stars from Doody