Standardizing Care Processes and Improving Quality Using Pathways and Continuous Quality Improvement

Abstract

Health care providers have an opportunity to improve the quality of care provided by reducing unnecessary variation. Current evidence and expert consensus can be used to develop a standardized mental model that can be used by all members of a clinical team. Process management and continuous quality improvement can be applied to measure process, health, and patient satisfaction outcomes. Clinical pathways represent one method to accomplish these goals. When combined with targeted education, electronic clinical decision support, and robust measurement, this methodology can help to create the dynamic learning health care system that will support the health of the next generation of our children.