Clinical pathways are structured, multidisciplinary plans of care designed to support the implementation of clinical guidelines. They are designed to support clinical management, clinical and non-clinical resource management and also financial management. They provide detailed guidance for each stage in the management of a patient (treatments, interventions etc.) with a specific condition over a given time period. In 2001/2002 the care process for patients with proximal femoral fracture in the

more »

... epartment of Trauma Surgery (Philipps-University, Marburg) was analysed and weak points were identified (e.g. delays and causes in timing OP the emergency area, patient preparation for the operation, clarification of osteoporosis) by a prospective study on 169 patients with a one year follow up. Based on an actual analysis and the analysis of barriers, literature and guideline research a target pathway was defined. The pathway was finalised through a multi-tiered consensus process and adopted by the board of directors.