Implementation of a critical pathway for complicated gallstone disease: translation of population-based data into clinical practice.

Background: Evidence-based guidelines recommend cholecystectomy during initial hospitalization for complicated gallstone disease. Previous studies and quality initiative data from our institution demonstrated that only 40% to 75% of patients underwent cholecystectomy on index admission.

Study Design: In January 2009, we implemented a critical pathway to improve cholecystectomy rates for all patients emergently admitted for acute cholecystitis, mild gallstone pancreatitis, or common bile duct stones.