An integrated care pathway for Guillain–Barré syndrome in children

Abstract

Integrated care pathways are widely used for a range of medical and surgical conditions with the aim of providing a streamlined and unified approach to evidence-based care. They have been used for a number of years in the multidisciplinary management of adults with neurological conditions who are expected to require prolonged rehabilitation. Care pathways have been used in approximately 60 conditions at Alder Hey Children's Hospital over the past few years. This paper describes an experience of a care pathway for children with Guillain–Barré syndrome. As far as the authors are aware, this is the first care pathway to be used for children with a neurological disorder. Preliminary observations, which have yet to be formally audited, suggest that the pathway has benefited patient care and significantly improved patient documentation and interdisciplinary communication. It has also helped to reduce and minimize unnecessary variation from expected evidence-based management.