[The role of the critical path in a new hospital payment system according to a diagnosis procedure combination in Japan].

Implementation of the critical path in the healthcare system facilitates standardization of medical practices, which improves both quality and safety management, shortens the length of hospital stays, and economizes on medical resources. In a new payment system introduced to university hospitals in Japan, hospital fees are charged by the day according to the diagnosis-procedure combination (DPC). To prepare for DPC, standardization of medical care, shortening the average length of stay within all hospitals, cost reduction, establishment of hospital networks, and an increase in new patients are critical issues. Cost management can be achived effectively by using the critical path.