Do integrated care pathways have a place in critical care?

Recent high-profile campaigns have endeavoured to improve the quality of critical care provision. Within other specialities, integrated care pathways (ICPs) have been advocated as an effective means of improving practice. We review the published research regarding their efficacy and potential role in critical care.

ICPs have been used in many specialities to good effect, reducing morbidity, increasing adherence to practice guidelines and improving multidisciplinary communication and efficiency. Many aspects of ICPs are already used in critical and perioperative care.

ICPs show promise as a mechanism for improving efficiency and care quality in specific circumstances. However, little research specific to critical care has been undertaken and it may be challenging to protocolize the multisystem care required in many critical illnesses. Although further evaluation is required to find the most appropriate way of incorporating ICPs into critical care, we commend their thoughtful adoption.