Evaluation of the impact of an integrated care pathway for pulmonary embolism: a quasi-experimental pre-post study

Background An integrated care pathway (ICP) is intended to improve the management of prevalent resource-consuming, life-threatening diseases. The purpose of this study was to determine whether the quality of patient care improved with the establishment of a dedicated unit for pulmonary embolism (PE). Methods A quasi-experimental pre-post study (pre: years 2010-2013; post: 2015-2020; year 2014, "washing" period) of PE patients ≥18 years (January 2010-June 2020). The intervention involved the implementation of an ICP for PE. Results The sample was composed of 1,142 patients (510 pre-intervention and 612 post-intervention) without significant differences between the two populations. In the post-intervention period, significant reductions were observed in the median length of hospital stay (LOS) (8 vs. 6 days); time to start of oral anticoagulation therapy (4.5 vs. 3.5 days; P<0.001); and the percentage of patients with high-risk PE in whom recanalization was not contraindicated (66.7% vs. 96%; P=0.009). In-hospital and 30-day mortality decreased, although not significantly (4.5% vs. 2.8%; P=0.188; 6.1% vs. 5.2%; P=0.531, respectively). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that the median LOS intervention decreased significantly according to the service where patients were referred to, and with the use of the simplified PESI. During follow-up, lifelong anticoagulation was prescribed to a higher proportion of patients in the post-intervention period (30.7% vs. 69.3%; P<0.001). Conclusions Although an ICP for PE does not reduce mortality significantly, it improves the quality of patient care.