[Design and implementation of a clinical pathway for the surgical management of patients who have undergone cataract surgery].

INTRODUCTION

Clinical pathways are presented as tools to standardize care, reduce variability, and improve healthcare quality through the use of quality indicators and continuous improvement cycles.

OBJECTIVE

To design and implement a clinical pathway to improve the management of patients undergoing cataract surgery.

METHODS

A quasi-experimental before-after design was used, based on a literature review, development of process maps, and consensus selection of 12 indicators using validated methods. A total of 140 medical records were analyzed in two evaluation phases, and an intervention plan focused on professional training, improvement of clinical documentation, and organizational adjustments was implemented.

RESULTS

Following the intervention, noncompliance decreased by 53.1%, with significant improvements in indicators related to intraoperative complications, visual outcomes, and refractive errors. Measurement reliability between evaluators was high, and an increase in patient satisfaction was also observed. The findings highlight the importance of comprehensive clinical documentation, procedure standardization, and multidisciplinary teamwork.

CONCLUSION

Despite limitations such as sample size and the lack of systems for recording complaints, the study demonstrates that implementing a clinical pathway can substantially improve the quality, safety, and efficiency of care for patients undergoing cataract surgery.