IMPACT OF CLINICAL PATHWAYS FOR TOTAL HIP-REPLACEMENT - A COMMUNITY-BASED ANALYSIS

The implementation of clinical pathways for total hip replacement was carried out by five hospitals in the metropolitan area of Syracuse, Ne w York. This process occurred under the leadership of clinical nurse s pecialists and nurse managers. It was supported by preadmission patien t education programs and active physician involvement. The participati ng hospitals shared utilization quality assurance data and benchmarked with respect to the experience of Sacramento, California, and each ot hers' progress. The effort produced substantial reductions in hospital stays without adverse impacts on quality of care.