A patient is admitted with pneumoniThe case manager refers to a plan of care that specifically identifies dates when supplemental oxygen should be discontinued, positive-pressure ventilation with bronchodilators should be changed to self-administered inhalers, and antibiotics should be changed from intravenous to oral treatment, on the basis of assessment findings. This plan of care is referred to as a:
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: clinical pathway. A clinical pathway is a detailed plan of care that outlines specific interventions and treatments based on assessment findings to guide patient care in a structured manner. In this case, the plan includes specific dates for discontinuing supplemental oxygen, changing ventilation methods, and transitioning antibiotics.
A. Patient classification system: This refers to categorizing patients based on certain criteria for resource allocation and staffing levels, not specific care plans.
C. Patient-centered plan of care: While patient-centered care focuses on individual preferences and needs, it does not necessarily include the structured timeline and interventions outlined in a clinical pathway.
D. Diagnosis-related group (DRG): DRGs are used for billing and payment purposes based on specific diagnoses, not for detailed care plans like the one described in the question.