[Critical pathway for the treatment of acute myelogenous leukemia]

Based on analysis of data from 10 patients newly diagnosed as having acute myelogenous leukemia (AML), we developed a critical pathway (CP) to prevent infection and thus shorten the period of hospitalization. This CP shows laboratory test results, vital signs, chemotherapy regimen, concomitant supportive care and oral medications, gargling with antiseptic mouthwash, other anti-infection measures, diet, room conditions, patient education in anti-infection measures, outcome, and variance on the vertical axis and time on the horizontal axis. After introduction of the CP, 9 of the newly diagnosed AML patients did not experience severe treatment-related complications during a mean hospitalization of 29 days until remission and 95 days until discharge. These results suggest that the present CP makes it possible to shorten the hospital stay, reduce treatment costs, and improve the quality of life of AML patients.