Study of the Application of Clinical Pathways in Varicella, Acute Bacillary Dysentery, Measles, Scarlet Fever, and Rubella

Abstract

In order to explore the clinical pathways that fit the actual situation of our country and department of infectious diseases, an analysis was performed to evaluate the effectiveness of clinical pathways for varicella, acute bacillary dysentery, measles, scarlet fever and rubella when compared with traditional standard medical care. Using a retrospective comparative study design, varicella, acute bacillary dysentery, measles, scarlet fever and rubella patients who were managed on a clinical pathway (clinical pathway group) were compared with a retrospective group of patients who received traditional medical care (control group) prior to the pathway's implementation. The following outcomes were measured: length of hospital stay, hospitalization costs. There was a significant reduction in the median hospitalization costs in the clinical pathway group patients in all five infectious diseases (P<0.05). The clinical pathway group's length of hospital stay for varicella, measles, acute bacillary dysentery and rubella were significantly shorter than the control group (P<0.05). The implementation of clinical pathways in varicella, acute bacillary dysentery, measles, scarlet fever and rubella might contribute to better quality of care and cost-effectiveness.