Statistical evaluation of the clinical pathway for a palatine tonsillectomy

Abstract

The clinical pathway is a schedule beginning with patient education, followed by clinical examinations, an operation, medication, post-operative treatment, and a meal during hospitalization. The goal of the pathway is the improvement in the medical quality, effective use of medical resources, and the informed consent of the patient. The clinical pathway for a palatine tonsillectomyw as thereforee stablished at the Fukuoka University Hospital Otolaryngology Department in 2000. A statistical evaluation of the palatine tonsillectomyc ases was conductedb efore and after the introductiono f the clinical pathway. The periodo f hospitalizationw as significantlyd ecreasedd uet o the establishmento f the pathway. Onp ostoperative6 day, the ratio for the regular use of a pain reliever and a normal dietary food intake were lower and higher, respectively with the introduction of the pathway. A comparison of the indications for surgery after the introduction showed that the regular use of pain reliever was observed more often in those with chronic tonsillitis than the other conditions. In contrast, no difference was observed in the dietary intake.