AIM: To analyze clinical data of hospitalized patients with age-related cataract treated through clinical pathway in our hospital, and to investigate the effectiveness of clinical pathway in standardizing medical behavior, advancing work efficiency, and improving quality of hospital management.

METHODS: Data of patients with age-related cataract, who were treated with phacoemulsification combined with intraocular lens implantation in Xi'an North Hospital, were retrospectively analyzed. In clinical pathway group, 220 patients underwent cataract surgery from October 2012 to May 2013 in accordance with clinical pathway. For control group, 213 patients with cataract receiving surgery from October 2010 to June 2011, comply with conventional process. Effect of cataract surgery, average length of hospitalization, average cost of hospitalization, and degree of satisfaction of patients were comprehensive investigated.

RESULTS: In 220 patients of clinical pathway group, 209(95.0%)got improved vision, the days of hospitalization was 4.5±1.4d, and the average hospitalized consumption was 4 522.3±285.1 Yuan. Whereas, in control group, visual acuity in 202(94.8%)out of 213 patients were improved, and the length and cost of hospitalization were 5.1±1.7d and 4 647.7±271.2 Yuan. The difference of the length and cost of hospitalization between these two groups were significant(P<0.05). However, there was no statistically significance in curative effect and patients satisfaction compare(P>0.05).

CONCLUSION: Practicing of age-related clinical pathway is helpful in standardizing medical heavier, optimizing clinical process, reducing health cost, improving quality of medical care, and providing evidence for hospital management innovation.