Pathways of Care

Pathways of Care programmes are used in all areas of healthcare to improve clinical effectiveness and the quality of patient care. This book is an essential reference source for all those involved in coordinating healthcare delivery. It is also a valuable tool for those piloting the use of Pathways, for those who have already implemented Pathway programmes, and for anyone interested in investigating or using Pathways. The book provides detailed information on the concepts of Pathways and many examples of how Pathways of care have been implemented and used in different clinical settings. The text considers key topics including clinical guidelines, legal issues, risk management and analysis of variation. With contributions from experts in a wide range of settings--including community and mental health, cardiology, urology, orthopaedics and paediatrics--this well-referenced text draws on practical experiences in identifying, evaluating and modifying the process of healthcare delivery. Part 1 The Pathway Tool:; Introduction to Pathways of care; What is a pathway of care?; Analysis of variation from the pathway; Part 2 Pathways in the Acute Setting:; Pathways in urology; Pathways in cardiology; Pathways in orthopaedics; Pathways in paediatrics; Pathways in accident and emergency; Part 3 Pathways in the Non-Acute Setting:; Pathways bridging the acute/community interface; Pathways in community mental health; Pathways for stroke care; Part 4 The Issues:; Pathways of care, clinical guidelines and the law; Pathways of care - a tool for minimising risk; Pathways as a basis for evidence-based contracting; Automation of Pathways; Into the future with Pathways of care; Index "This is an extremely useful book to have in any hospital or community clinic for those providing care to people with diabetes and is also an invaluable teaching aid."

Penelope J. Keith, Journal of Community Nursing, 1999.

"This readable textbook provides examples of some innovative and best practice experiences from contributors with a variety of backgrounds and clinical settings."

"Recommended reading for all health care professionals, particularly key workers , named nurses, and those committed to multi-professional working."

D A Corby, Health Management, 1998.

"An excellent book. The editor has achieved a remarkably consistent standard of clear writing in a book with many authors, making Pathways of Care unusual as well as useful."

Dr Steve Iliffe, British Journal of Health Care Management, 1997.

"This book is an invaluable reference book, and is highly recommended to anyone working with ethnic groups."

Nirma Phillips, Health Visitor, 1997.

"The Ethnic Health Handbook is long overdue, well organized and referenced, and is clearly written. As such it is not only a must for nurse managers, but for anyone with an interest and commitment to ethnic health issues."

Mary Hawkey, Journal of Nursing Management, 1997.

Dr. Mark Johnson currently serves as the Director of Toxicology, US Army Public Health Center at Aberdeen Proving Ground, MD, USA. He has worked extensively in the evaluation of the toxicity of military unique compounds and the development and evaluation of a phased approach to gathering toxicity data for new compounds under development. He has authored more than 100 peer-reviewed publications, book chapters, and technical reports. He has been a member of Society of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry and is a Steering Group Member of the Wildlife Toxicology World Interest Group and vice-chair of Ecological Risk Assessment World Interest Group. Pathways of Care are used in all areas of healthcare to improve clinical effectiveness and the quality of patient care. This book is an essential reference source for all those involved in co-ordinating healthcare delivery. It is a valuable tool both for those piloting the use of Pathways and for those who have implemented Pathway programmes, and will be a useful guide for anyone interested in investigating or using Pathways. The book provides detailed information on the concepts of Pathways with many examples of how Pathways of care have been implemented and used in different clinical settings. The text considers key topics including clinical guidelines, legal issues, risk management and analysis of variation. With contributions from experts in a wide range of settings including community and mental health as well as cardiology, urology, orthopaedics and paediatrics, this well-referenced text draws on practical experience of identifying, evaluating and modifying the process of health care delivery.