Improving Cardiac Surgery Outcomes by Using an Interdisciplinary Clinical Pathway

A cardiothoracic intensive care unit ( CTICU ) team evaluated preoperative and postoperative processes to improve outcomes for cardiac surgery patients. The primary aim of this project was to streamline and improve care in the CTICU by implementing a new clinical pathway for patients undergoing coronary artery bypass graft or valve replacement procedures. We analyzed processes, communication, ventilator days, respiratory complications, patient...