Integrated Care Pathways
Integrated Care Pathways (ICPs) are also known as care profiles, care protocols, critical care pathways, multidisciplinary pathways of care. They are multi-disciplinary, locally agreed, evidence-based plans, describing the expected progress of a specific patient group. Health Care Informed works with organisations to develop ICPs that are specific and relevant.
Integrated Care Pathways (ICPs) are promoted as a means for:
- Reducing variations in care
- Empowering patients and staff
- Incorporating evidence base into practice
- Embedding clinical audit into practice
- Streamlining documentation
- Reducing duplication among the team
ICPs are an opportunity to identify good practice, remove bad practice, identify and apply evidence, identify education and training needs, and appreciate the skills and contributions of all professionals and care sectors.
Health Care Informed provides support and education in developing successful pathways:
Review other pathways on the same topic/patient group.
Review the current clinical service – consider the types of clinical interventions involved with this patient group: map the process from start to finish by considering the following at each stage of the patient’s journey:
- What is the most appropriate care?
- When is the most appropriate time?
- Who is the most appropriate person?
- Where is the most appropriate location?
Test and pilot your pathway; audit and monitor it closely.
Evaluate options for further development of it.
Support and educate for implementation
Develop audit mechanisms to support it.
Assist ongoing improvement of the pathway
Review the ICP regularly in the light of new research/evaluation of results and audit.
For more information on Integrated Care Pathways (ICPs) contact us today info@healthcareinformed.com
