Fundamentals of Nursing Q 124
The nurse is reviewing the critical paths of the clients on the nursing unit. In performing a variance analysis, which of the following would indicate the need for further action and analysis?
A. A client’s family attending a diabetic teaching session.
B. Canceling physical therapy sessions on the weekend.
C. Normal VS and absence of wound infection in a post-op client.
D. A client demonstrating accurate medication administration following teaching.
Correct Answer: B. Canceling physical therapy sessions on the weekend.
Variance analysis is the identification of patient or family needs that are not anticipated and the actions related to these needs in a system of managed care. There are four kinds of origin for the variance: patient-family origin, system-institutional origin; community origin, and clinician origin.
Option A: Critical pathways are care plans that detail the essential steps inpatient care with a view to describing the expected progress of the patient. They also have a positive impact on outcomes, such as increased quality of care and patient satisfaction, improved continuity of information, and patient education.
Option C: Clinical pathways are being increasingly used for daily patient care. The pathways consist of a sequence of critical treatment events matched to the patient’s recovery. Variance analysis identifies deviations from the pathway and can be used for quality improvement and clinical audit.
Option D: Clinical pathways can be used as a means of incorporating evidence-based medicine into clinical practice. Variance analysis of the pathways can be utilized as a process of quality control and to improve patient outcomes.