| Theme | Application of Clinical Path for Dialysis Treatment | |
|---|---|---|
| Title | Clinical pathways as quality of health care and cost effectiveness tool | |
| Publish Date | 2001/05 | |
| Author | Toshiko Abe | School of Health Allied Science, Tokyo Medical & Dental University |
| Author | Naomi Kitazawa | School of Health Allied Science, Tokyo Medical & Dental University |
| [ Summary ] | Clinical pathways were described as tools for the promotion of health care quality and cost effectiveness. Cost effectiveness, utilizing clinical pathways, is effective in minor and major ways. A cost effective method, using clinical pathways is as follows : cost control at the organizational level ; restructuring within the organization ; patient participation health care programs (as a marketing tool) ; standardization and appropriateness of healthcare. The standardization elements include risk management issues. As quality care tools, clinical pathways can change medical care in patient centered care systems. Healthcare quality unevenness is reduced. Three levels of clinical pathways have been defined as advantageous to accomplishing better results with quality and cost issues. Methods of standardization of health care in the organization were also explored. | |