Abstract
[Purpose] Critical path have been developed to guide evidence-based practice in health care. We have recently cared for pediatric patients needed for surgery in the word that had been consisted of patients with internal disease. Then we adopted critical path for surgery of pediatric inguinal hernia in order to standardize the critical process of therapy and the nursing care system, and evaluated the significance of the attempt. [Patients and Methods] From April 1, 2003, through December 31, 2003, surgery was performed for sixteen pediatric patients with inguinal hernia in an acute hospital. We applied critical path for those patients. [Results] We could have some evidences as followings. (1) shortened the average length of stay (2.9±0.1days) in contrast to that before the attempt (3.6±0.3days). (2) had a increase in the cost of admission a day (80, 040 yen vs 78, 690 yen/day). (3) became fewer doctor's orders. (4) had a firm grasp of process of the treatment and the nursing care. [Conclusion] The application of critical path will bring a profound quality improvement for medical staffs and hospital management, and of course for patients.
