Improving Cardiac Surgery Outcomes by Using an Interdisciplinary Clinical Pathway

A cardiothoracic intensive care unit (CTICU) team evaluated preoperative and postoperative processes to improve outcomes for cardiac surgery patients. The primary aim of this project was to streamline and improve care in the CTICU by implementing a new clinical pathway for patients undergoing coronary artery bypass graft or valve replacement procedures. We analyzed processes, communication, ventilator days, respiratory complications, patient mobility, presence of invasive catheters and lines, CTICU length of stay, and hospital-adjusted length of stay before and after we implemented the clinical pathway. This article outlines the methods we used to plan, implement, and assess the clinical pathway. Implementation of the clinical pathway successfully streamlined care, reduced variations in care, and improved health care quality and resource use.