Right Choice Index

Page Contents

What are pathways?

Facts about
patient pathways

What are the quality
benefits of pathways?

Pathways available

Should you be
on a patient pathway?

Site Contents

Patients & visitors

Medical professionals

Yale-New Haven
Children's Hospital

Yale-New Haven
Psychiatric Hospital

General information

Calendar

Online resource

Press information

Phone Numbers

Directory assistance
(203) 688-4242

Patient Information
(203) 688-4177

Adult emergency
(203) 688-2222

Children's emergency
(203) 688-3333

Admitting
(203) 688-2221

Children's admitting
(203) 688-3331

Psychiatric admitting
(203) 688-9907


Mailing address:

Yale-New Haven Hospital
20 York Street
New Haven, CT 06504

Should You Be On A Patient Pathway?

What are pathways?
Patient pathways are general guidelines of care for common illnesses and injuries that suggest what events are likely to happen during a hospital stay. Events such as treatments, consultations, medications, diet, assessment, teaching and preparing for discharge from the hospital are mapped on a timeline. The pathway brochure is easy for patients and families to understand and explains what is likely to happen while in the hospital. Pathways represent the most advanced care and at Yale-New Haven Hospital they are included in the patient's medical record.

Facts about patient pathways

1. Patients have been involved with developing pathways and are often asked for feedback to continue improvement.
2. Patient pathways are reviewed and updated regularly to incorporate advances in medicine and patient care.
3. Patient pathways demonstrate a high level of patient-focused care.
4. Patients occasionally receive their patient pathway in advance of their hospital admission as a preparation guideline.
5. Patient pathways are helpful to family members in reducing their stress as they are better informed.
6. Not all patients assigned to a pathway stay on the pathway. Individual unique circumstances may require changes.
7. Not all patients are assigned to a pathway. Some problems are so unusual, complex or require individualized care that a patient pathway is not helpful.

What are the quality benefits of pathways?

• Pathways have been shown to improve the quality of care provided to patients.
• Patients on pathways are more informed and involved in their own care.
• Patients on pathways are less likely to be readmitted to the hospital.
• Discharge from the hospital and return to the community are smoother.
• Patients and families are more satisfied with the hospital experience.
• Patient information from pathways can be used to continually improve the effectiveness and efficiency of care.

How do patients benefit?

• Knowing what to expect can help the patient and family work together with caregivers and makes the hospital stay more comfortable.
• Encourages patient and family to actively participate in their health care.
• Improves the communication between doctors, nurses and patient/family members as care needs may be anticipated.
• Helps the patient and family make decisions about their health care needs.
• Minimizes delays in the delivery of hospital services.
• Being on a pathway might help reduce the time you are in the hospital by providing a smoother and faster recovery.
• Coordination of care is better between members of the health care team in meeting individual patient needs.
• Because space on the pathways allow patients to write their own notes, they can be used by patients for their own documentation.

So should you be on a patient pathway?
If you are admitted for a high risk or complex procedure, you should ask if your hospital can provide you with a pathway. Be sure to ask your doctor or hospital if you will be on a pathway before you are admitted to the hospital. The pathway can answer many questions you may not know to ask. You will also be able to familiarize yourself with the likely schedule of care.

Last revised: March 8, 2004 (cfs)

Home page URL: http://www.ynhh.org

All information is intended for your general knowledge and is not a substitute for medical advice or treatment for specific medical conditions. You should seek prompt medical care for any specific health issues and consult your physician before starting a new fitness regimen.