Critical pathway for patients undergoing aortic-surgery: Impact on postoperative care at an intensive care unit in Sweden

In January 2007, the intensive care unit (ICU) at a Swedish hospital introduced a critical pathway for patients undergoing aortic-surgery. The aim of this study is to evaluate the impact of this initiative, with regard to postoperative care in an ICU. A comparison of two patient groups - 17 patients treated one year before and 20 patients treated one year after the introduction of the pathway - was performed, and considered nasogastric tube, intake of clear fluids, intake of nutrition drink or meal, breathing exercise and mobilization. No statistically significant differences in mean age, gender, anaesthetic risk factors, peroperative bleeding, length of surgery and length of mechanic ventilation between the groups existed. The patients in the pathway group had their nasogastric tube removed significantly earlier (P < 0.05) and received intake of clear fluids and nutrition drink or meal significantly (P < 0.05) earlier than patients in the control group. Critical pathway for patients undergoing aortic-surgery has a positive impact on postoperative care. Aortic-surgery patients treated in accordance with the pathway at the ICU received nursing interventions earlier than patients who were treated without pathway, which is crucial for the quality of care and optimal outcome.