ABSTRACT
Many methods have been proposed for solving complex or multifaceted clinical problems in a logical, systematic, and accurate way. This article describes one method of step-by-step problem solving and how to apply it to a clinical situation.
Subject(s)
Outcome and Process Assessment, Health Care/organization & administration , Problem Solving , Total Quality Management/organization & administration , Abbreviations as Topic , Clinical Competence , Humans , Nursing, Supervisory/organization & administration , Professional Staff Committees/organization & administrationABSTRACT
The use of a transsphenoidal critical pathway can be a vital tool for critical care nurses in anticipating complications and improving patient outcomes. Complications such as diabetes insipidus and cerebrospinal fluid leak associated with posttranssphenoidal patients may result in prolonged hospitalization and worsened functional outcome. Implementing a transsphenoidal critical pathway for these patients can guide their care and alert critical care nurses to potential complications and their prevention and/or treatment.
Subject(s)
Adenoma/nursing , Adenoma/surgery , Critical Care/methods , Critical Pathways/organization & administration , Pituitary Neoplasms/nursing , Pituitary Neoplasms/surgery , Postoperative Care/methods , Postoperative Care/nursing , Sphenoid Sinus/surgery , Humans , Nursing Assessment , Nursing RecordsSubject(s)
Economic Competition , Health Care Costs , Hospital Administration , Quality of Health Care , HumansABSTRACT
Critical pathways are known to decrease the patient's length of stay while simultaneously using resources effectively and efficiently. Several additional functions of critical pathways exist: pathways are used as tools for teaching; to predict and prevent complications; streamline charting; and anticipate staffing needs. These and other functions of critical pathways are described as they apply to critical care patients.
