Clinical pathways and coronary artery bypass surgery.

Use of a multidisciplinary clinical pathway helps eliminate variations in patients' care. Organizing the care delivered each day of the patient's hospitalization may lead to fewer complications, a quicker recovery, and an earlier discharge. In today's healthcare arena, much attention is being focused on improving the quality of care and decreasing the need for acute care. Clinical pathways facilitate patients' outcomes and earlier discharge and thus reduce the cost of care.