The critical path method in stroke rehabilitation: lessons from an experiment in cost containment and outcome improvement

• Published in: QRB. Quality review bulletin Vol. 19; no. 1; p. 8
• Main Authors: Falconer, J A, Roth, E J, Sutin, J A, Strasser, D C, Chang, R W
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States 01.01.1993
• Subjects: Activities of Daily Living; Aged; Cerebrovascular Disorders - rehabilitation; Chicago; Cognition; Cost Control; Fees and Charges; Female; Goals; Humans; Length of Stay - economics; Length of Stay - statistics & numerical data; Male; Outcome Assessment (Health Care) - organization & administration; Outcome Assessment (Health Care) - standards; Patient Care Planning - standards; Patient Care Team - organization & administration; Patient Care Team - standards; Patient Satisfaction; Rehabilitation Centers - organization & administration; Rehabilitation Centers - standards; Chicago
• ISSN: 0097-5990
• DOI: 10.1016/S0097-5990(16)30582-6

This study tested the effects of a project network technique called the Critical Path Method (CPM) on the costs and outcomes of inpatient team stroke rehabilitation. On admission to a large, academic, inpatient rehabilitation hospital adults who had a recent (< 120 days) stroke were randomly assigned to receive rehabilitation services from a team trained in CPM (N = 53) or from usual care teams (N = 68). Results showed no significant difference between groups in length of stay, hospital charges, or functional status at discharge. CPM may be effective in patient care services that are less influenced by specialization, professional issues, and external regulation and in settings where patient outcomes are relatively fixed and predictable, and medical care is integrated across institutions.