Identify research and development questions. In July 1995, PMR began the development of an Integrated Care Pathway System. Improved multidisciplinary working. Protocol application and development. We are now using ICP's for all elective surgery.
Staff are familiar with the format and now accept it as a welcome change.
From a recent clinical audit, it was shown that by using the Hip Pathway, a large number of patients were discharged one day earlier than previously, i.e. post op day 6 rather than post op day 7. The steering group agreed in March of this year to reduce the hip replacement pathway by one day. Analysis and update continue. The steering group meets regularly and is at present working on a number of issues, including developing a rehabilitation pathway for trauma patients transferred to PMR from the RIE, updating existing pathways, and analysing variances. Saunders Company International.