Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 24, 2026
05:56
Implementation of Non-invasive Point of Care Transient Elastography for Evaluation of Liver Disease in Pediatric Populations with Cystic Fibrosis
Published on: August 29, 2025
Quality toolbox: clinical pathways can improve core measure scores
Jack D McCue1, Adam Beck, Kevin Smothers
1University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA. jack.mccue@post.harvard.edu
Summary
Multidisciplinary clinical pathways (CPs) significantly improved appropriate care measure scores for patients with community-acquired pneumonia (CAP), congestive heart failure (CHF), and acute myocardial infarction (AMI). These improvements in care quality were sustained over three years.
Area of Science:
- Health Services Research
- Clinical Quality Improvement
- Healthcare Management
Background:
- Clinical pathways (CPs) are established decision-making tools aimed at enhancing patient care quality and reducing healthcare expenditures.
- Multidisciplinary CPs integrate evidence-based guidelines into routine clinical practice.
Purpose of the Study:
- To retrospectively analyze the impact of multidisciplinary clinical pathways on core measure scores for specific patient populations.
- To evaluate if CPs improve adherence to Appropriate Care Measures (ACM) in hospitals.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of 6013 patient discharges across 45 Maryland hospitals over a 3-year period ending September 30, 2005.
- Comparative analysis of patient outcomes managed with CPs versus those without, focusing on community-acquired pneumonia (CAP), congestive heart failure (CHF), and acute myocardial infarction (AMI).
- Assessment of adherence to all 10 ACM components.
Main Results:
- A significantly higher percentage of patients managed with CPs (72.5%) met ACM standards compared to those without CPs (26%) (81% vs. 67.8%, p < .001).
- CP-managed patients demonstrated superior performance across all 10 ACM components compared to state averages.
- Observed improvements in ACM scores remained consistent over the 3-year study duration.
Conclusions:
- Multidisciplinary clinical pathways are effective in improving the quality of care for CAP, CHF, and AMI patients.
- The implementation of CPs leads to better adherence to evidence-based care standards and improved patient outcomes.
- CPs offer a sustainable approach to enhancing healthcare quality and performance measurement.
Related Concept Videos
01:15Methods of Documentation VI: Case Management Model
The case management model is a multidisciplinary approach that involves healthcare professionals from diverse disciplines, such as physicians, nurses, therapists, social workers, and pharmacists, working collaboratively to address the various needs of patients. Each healthcare professional brings unique expertise and perspectives, contributing to a more comprehensive understanding of the patient's condition and tailoring treatment plans accordingly.
For example, a patient with a chronic illness...
For example, a patient with a chronic illness...
01:19Standards of Care II
Nurses bear specific legal responsibilities under several federal statutes, including:
01:30Health Information Technology and Healthcare Information System
Health Information Technology (HIT)
Health Information Technology, commonly called HIT, integrates advanced information systems and technology in healthcare settings. Its primary functions include:
Health Information Technology, commonly called HIT, integrates advanced information systems and technology in healthcare settings. Its primary functions include:
01:22Standards of Care I
Federal statutes profoundly impact nursing practice, providing critical guidelines to ensure patient care is equitable, accessible, and of the highest quality. The following laws address distinct aspects of healthcare provision and patient rights:
01:22Healthcare Associated Infections II: Preventive Measures
Essential infection prevention measures are based on the knowledge of the infection chain, the modes of transmission in healthcare settings, and the use of the best practices in all healthcare settings. Compulsory public reporting of healthcare-associated infection rates is needed to allow individuals and the community to make informed choices regarding selecting a healthcare facility.
The best practices for preventing healthcare-associated infections include hand hygiene, patient risk...
The best practices for preventing healthcare-associated infections include hand hygiene, patient risk...
01:13Patient-centered Care
Patient-centered care involves delivering care beyond inpatient hospitalization. Reflective practice can enhance a patient-centered approach. Reflective practice is a process of reasoning that considers all aspects of the present situation, including practicalities, learning from personal practice, and consideration of patient needs. Patients appreciate care decisions made while considering their input. Involving the patient in their care provides the patient with a sense of contribution rather...