Colorectal clinical pathways: a method of improving clinical outcome?

Clinical pathways are intended to improve the quality of care. In March 2001, our unit implemented a pathway for patients undergoing major colorectal surgery. The aim of this study was to assess its impact on the quality of patient care.

We reviewed 204 patients managed using this pathway in 2001, and compared their outcomes with those of a control group of 204 patients who had undergone similar procedures the year before. The endpoints measured were postoperative morbidity, length of stay and readmission rates.

Both groups were similar in terms of patient demographics, diagnosis, and nature of surgery performed. In the study group, 61% of patients underwent elective surgery compared with 62% in the control group. The incidence of postoperative morbidity in the study group was 20% compared with 33% in the control group (p = 0.003). The rate of readmission as a result of surgical complications was 6% in the study group versus 13% in the control group (p = 0.029). The average length of stay was 10.4 days in the study group and 12.1 days in the control group (p = 0.105).

The introduction of a colorectal clinical pathway significantly improved the outcome of patients undergoing major colorectal surgery.