The misuse of clinical paths as an instrument for funding inpatient care in Bulgaria

World Hosp Health Serv. 2009;45(3):10-2.

Abstract

Clinical paths in Bulgaria are used not as a method for quality assessment, but as an instrument to fund hospitals. Their use and incompleteness cause limited access of all Bulgarian citizens to the international treatment guidelines. That way quality of treatment worsens and mortality increases. The Bulgarian system of regulated medical guidelines by all therapeutic and surgical lines still suffers many deficiencies. The National Health Insurance Fund should use the system of clinical paths for quality control as well.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Bulgaria / epidemiology
  • Critical Pathways / economics*
  • Critical Pathways / legislation & jurisprudence
  • Financial Management, Hospital*
  • Financing, Government*
  • Government Regulation
  • Guideline Adherence
  • Hospital Mortality
  • Humans
  • Inpatients*
  • Quality of Health Care