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Commentary: Extended Care Paths and the Continuum of Care

Providence General Medical Center, Everett, Washington 98206-1147

CARE PATHS are a managed care tool used in many of today's acute care hospitals. Developed by a hospital's health care team, their strength lies in a clear statement of expectations and accountability, and in their use as a communication tool among those involved in the care of a specific patient. Because individual patients are unique and may require detours from a CARE PATH, these tools are most successful if used as guide lines rather than strict protocols.

However, managed care has forced us to expand our definition of health and health care, and the goal of efficiently managing a population or panel of patients has become the focus of a successful health care organization. This includes an increased emphasis on preventive care or wellness programs as well as the use of new, innovative approaches to providing traditionally inpatient services. With this shift, CARE PATHS have had to evolve as well. The following describes the current approach being used in our delivery system, the EXTENDED CARE PATH (ECP).

American Journal of Medical Quality, Vol. 12, No. 3, 157-159 (1997)
DOI: 10.1177/106286069701200304


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