Question

A patient is admitted with pneumonia. The case manager refers to a plan of care that specifically identifies dates when supplemental oxygen should be discontinued, positive-pressure ventilation with bronchodilators should be changed to self-administered inhalers, and antibiotics should be changed from intravenous to oral treatment, on the basis of assessment findings. This plan of care is referred to as a:

a. patient classification system.
b. clinical pathway.
c. patient-centered plan of care.
d. diagnosis-related group (DRG).

Answer 1

A clinical pathway is a multidisciplinary healthcare management tool that outlines the anticipated care a patient should receive for a particular condition. It includes specific guidelines and interventions, such as the dates for discontinuing supplemental oxygen, changing ventilation methods, and transitioning from intravenous to oral antibiotics. Clinical pathways help enhance patient outcomes, reduce variations in care, and improve the efficiency of healthcare delivery.

Step-by-step explanation:

The plan of care described in the question is referred to as a clinical pathway. A clinical pathway is a multidisciplinary healthcare management tool that outlines the anticipated care a patient should receive for a particular condition.

It includes specific guidelines and interventions, such as the dates for discontinuing supplemental oxygen, changing ventilation methods, and transitioning from intravenous to oral antibiotics. This plan is based on assessment findings and is designed to ensure standardized and consistent care across healthcare settings.

Clinical pathways help enhance patient outcomes, reduce variations in care, and improve the efficiency of healthcare delivery.