A regional hospital association's approach to clinical pathway development.

Sixteen hospitals from the Northeastern New York Hospital Council tested the theory that clinical pathways are an essential component of the integrated quality assessment process. Clinical pathways served as a transition to the holistic, process-oriented approach of quality improvement. The clinical pathways that they developed included preadmission, hospitalization, and postdischarge care needs. Respect and trust established among the hospitals in the consortium were evidenced by the cooperation and collaboration of the participating hospitals. This regional approach to care resulted in increased patient and staff satisfaction, positive patient outcomes, and a decrease in length of stay.