Management of Inflammatory Bowel Disease Patients With Clinical Care Pathways Reduces Emergency Department Utilization

Background: Standardizing care through pathways has the potential to reduce emergency department (ED) utilization. We developed and evaluated inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) care pathways for that purpose. Methods: Over 2014-2016, IBD patients were retrospectively stratified into those managed and not managed by pathways. Patient data were extracted, and negative binomial regression used to predict the annual number of ED visits. Results: There was a difference of 30.7 ED visits/100 patients between managed and nonmanaged at 12 months (P < 0.001). The incidence rate ratio of total ED visits occurring annually was 0.750 (P = 0.008). Conclusions: Management with IBD care pathways reduces ED utilization. Lay Summary We developed and implemented care pathways for inflammatory bowel disease. Retrospective analysis showed pathway-managed patients had lower rates of emergency department use at 12 months, suggesting that management with such pathways can be an effective means to improve care.