Clinical paths for cardiac surgery patients: a multidisciplinary approach to quality improvement outcomes.

Implementation of clinical paths has resulted in a successful multidisciplinary approach for monitoring quality improvement outcomes in a select group of cardiovascular patients. This article defines clinical paths and explains their development, implementation, and evaluation. It also discusses how variances (which are defined as discrepancies between expected and actual events) were identified and how this information led to actions to improve patient outcomes. The roles of each health care professional are discussed in relation to clinical paths, and positive outcomes for the nurse, other health care professionals, and the institution are presented.