Desarrollo de la vía clínica de la tiroidectomía en un hospital general

Summary Introduction: Clinical pathways are plans of care applied to com- mon processes, with a predictable course and great clinical variabi- lity in their management, which constitute an opportunity for im- provement. In our hospital, thyroidectomy meets the basic require- ments for the design of a plan of care. This article aims to present the development of the clinical pathway. Methodology: A clinical pathway for thyroidectomy was designed jointly by the Departments of Surgery, Anesthesia and Endocrino- logy, as well as the Quality Unit of the JM Morales Meseguer Hospi- tal. The best possible scientific evidence was adapted to the hos- pital's characteristics and to the preferences of the health profes- sionals. Results: The pathway for thyroidectomy was designed to include all patients undergoing this procedure, with the sole exception of those who simultaneously undergo another procedure. We designed a pro- tocol for the treatment of postoperative hypocalcemia and establis- hed a total length of hospital stay of 3 days for hemithyroidectomy and one of 4 days for total thyroidectomy. The clinical pathway do- cuments comprise the clinical pathway cards, indicators of outco- me, and the satisfaction survey. Conclusions: The intra- and interdepartmental consensus as well as review of the best scientific instrument involved in the development of the clinical pathway make this plan of care an instrument to im- prove the postoperative care of patients submitted to this surgical process. Using this instrument, we aim to reduce unjustified variabi- lity and length of hospital stay and to improve patient satisfaction.