Development and Application of Critical Pathway for Nasal Bone Fracture Patients

코뼈골절 환자에서 표준진료지침의 개발과 적용

Purpose: The aim of this study is to develop and apply the critical pathway to the nasal bone fracture patients and to elucidate its effect. Methods: Critical pathway (CP) sheet and questionnaire were developed by a team approach. Critical pathway were applied to 30 nasal bone fracture patients (CP group) from June 2001 to November 2001. Length of hospitalization, cost for hospitalization and bed turnover rate of CP group were compared to those of the 30 patients who had same disease entities and treated by conventional regimen (control group). Results: Length of hospitalization in the CP group (4.20 day) were significantly shorter than that of control group (6.21 day). Mean cost for hospitalization of the CP group (492,106 won) were significantly lower than that of control group (678,376 won). Bed turnover rate in CP group (2.5) were higher than that of control group. The patients satisfaction for the medical personnel, explanation regarding operation procedure, therapeutic operation fee, and length of hospitalization were all affirmative. Conclusion: Critical pathway that we developed for nasal bone fracture definitely improved the quality of treatment and lowered cost of medical service. Furthermore, other critical pathways should be developed for another facial trauma patients.