Should Audits Consider the Care Pathway Model? A New Approach to Benchmarking Real-World Activities

Kwok, Chun Shing and Waters, David and Phan, Thanh and Myint, Phyo Kyaw and Lip, Gregory Y. H. (2022) Should Audits Consider the Care Pathway Model? A New Approach to Benchmarking Real-World Activities. Healthcare, 10 (9). p. 1798. ISSN 2227-9032

Preview

Text healthcare-10-01798.pdf - Published Version Available under License Creative Commons Attribution. Download (1MB)

Abstract

Clinical audit is a method to assess the quality of healthcare services based on whether standards are met or not met. This approach is limited because it fails to recognize how decisions that take place over time and the natural progression of disease has an impact on what happens to patients and the care they receive. The aim of this paper is to introduce the concept of care pathway and explain how care pathways can be audited to better understand care. The care pathway is defined by clinically relevant events that take place within one or more healthcare institutions. The process begins with defining an ideal care pathway which is created by considering local expertise and guidelines. It is then possible to audit against the extent to which this ideal care pathway is achieved. This care pathway audit can enable identification of patterns in real-world care which can help with the of design interventions to help shift patients from the less to more desirable pathways. We conclude that through the process of the care pathway audit cycle, it is possible to learn about real-world activities, better utilize resources, promote safer care, improve quality of care, and help develop more effective interventions.

Item Type:	Article
Identification Number:	10.3390/healthcare10091798
Dates:	Date Event 14 September 2022 Accepted 19 September 2022 Published Online
Uncontrolled Keywords:	clinical audit; pathways; outcomes; quality of healthcare; real-world care
Subjects:	CAH02 - subjects allied to medicine > CAH02-06 - allied health > CAH02-06-01 - health sciences (non-specific)
Divisions:	Faculty of Health, Education and Life Sciences > College of Health and Care Professions
Depositing User:	Gemma Tonks
Date Deposited:	11 Jul 2023 12:46
Last Modified:	11 Jul 2023 12:46
URI:	https://www.open-access.bcu.ac.uk/id/eprint/14603

Actions (login required)

View Item