Background. This is a retrospective review of medical and financial records
to test the hypothesis that the use or a critical pathway specifically des
igned for the management of laryngectomy patients writ result in improved p
atient care, decreased length of hospitalization, and optimal allocation of
resources.
Methods. Thirty patients undergoing laryngectomy before the implementation
of the laryngectomy critical pathway were compared with 30 patients after i
mplementation of the pathway. Clinical outcomes. length of hospitalization.
and cost analyses were performed.
Results. Adjusting for two outliers. the average length of stay for pathway
patients was 7.3 days vs 12 days for prepathway patients. A total estimate
d cost-savings of $204,000 was ultimately achieved.
Conclusions. Our laryngectomy critical pathway has resulted In Improved pat
ient care and optimized allocation of medical resources. (C) 2000 John Wile
y & Sons, Inc.