How to Design Clinical Pathway Variance Systems for Continuous Quality Improvement: A Layperson's Guide is part of the Center for Case Management's Expert Series of monographs that bring the best thinking and knowledge in pathways to you.

Written by well-known pathway variance expert Robert Luttman this monograph outlines principles for successfully analyzing, reporting, and reducing clinical pathway variances. Based on work at leading teaching hospitals the monograph offers new and profound methods for managing variance data and using variance data to drive process improvements in clinical and support processes.

Table of Contents

• 1. Introduction
  • 1.1 The Role of CareMaps© in the New Healthcare Environment
  • 1.2 Defining Variances
  • 1.3 The Role of a Variance System in a CareMap© Program
• 2. Issues in Clinical Pathway Variance Systems
  • 2.1 Operational Issues
  • 2.2 Statistical Issues
  • 2.3 Legal Issues
  • 2.4 Integrating the Variance System into the Organization
• 3. Data Collection
  • 3.1 Improving Data Collection Efficiency and Timeliness
  • 3.2 Incorporating First Level Feedback and Variance Mitigation
  • 3.3 Summary
• 4. Data Management
  • 4.1 Issues in Data Management
  • 4.2 Database design and management for variance systems
• 5. Data Analysis
  • 5.1 Variance Analysis Using Gateway Variances
  • 5.2 Variance Analysis Using Critical Variances
  • 5.3 Variance Analysis Using All Variances
  • 5.4 Using Statistical Process Control Tools in Variance Analysis
  • 5.5 Aggregating Data
  • 5.6 Summary
• 6. Feedback and Reporting
  • 6.1 Feedback levels
  • 6.2 Balanced Scorecards: Integrated Reporting Systems
  • 6.3 Closing the Loop: Variance analysis and Continuous Improvement
  • 6.4 Manual Reports - What to do when you do not have a computer
• 7. Conclusion: Issues for the Future
  • 7.1 Variance Analysis and CareMap© Automation
  • 7.2 Variance Analysis and Integrated Delivery Systems

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