Clinical pathways for the care of multiple sclerosis patients

Abstract

Introduction Clinical pathways are standard health care methods to coordinate clinical work, reduce inter-clinician variability, improve patient care and increase staff and patient satisfaction. The aim of this study is to develop a clinical pathway capable of organising and developing standard procedures for diagnosis, treatment and care in patients with multiple sclerosis and to coordinate all medical specialists involved in this disease. Methods A multidisciplinary unit for the care of MS patients was developed. All of them and quality specialists analysed some international evidence-based studies, clinical guides, international guidelines and other clinical neurological pathways in several meetings and designed several documents for the clinical pathways. Results A clinical pathway was created consisting of a scientific-technical framework, which arranges the care in relation to the diagnosis and treatment. The framework is accompanied by various patient-information documents on the disease, an information sheet on diagnostic procedures and a map of the process. Quality standards were established to achieve continuous improvement in patient care. Conclusions A clinical pathway for the care of MS patients in a multidisciplinary unit homogenises and organises the care which the MS patient should receive from the initial symptoms to the progressive stages. This clinical pathway improves the quality of patient care, reduces the variability in work protocols and rationalises the use of the available health care resources.