Using clinical pathways in patients undergoing cardiac valve surgery.

Clinical pathways, protocols, and standing order sets help organize patients' care and eliminate variations created by practitioners' different preferences. Much attention is being focused on providing the most cost-effective care in the shortest time. Quality of care must be maintained during this process. Clinical pathways, protocols, and standing order sets help ensure that care is consistent and quality of care is maintained with the added benefit of a shorter stay in the hospital.