Abstract
We studied the impact of variance analysis on the clinical path (CP) in laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Implementing the CP enabled us to shorten hospital stay and increase hospital income. We found 18 variations in 17 CPs, 72.2% of which occurred in the first 6 CPs. We categorited reasons for the 18 variations as follows: patient-related, 8; staff-related, 10; hospital-related, 0 ; and social factors, 0. Patient-related variances in 6 cases were due to physical problems. Two others were related to patient mental health. The remaining 10 variations were staff-related all due to unnecessary orders by individual doctors. The frequency of variations decreased with doctors'experience and understanding of the CP. These doctors evaluated their treatment strategy compared to the CP, and the CP and its outcome should continue to be evaluated and discussed.
