A generic flow-model as a base for constructing work and monitoring processes in psychiatric care

Introduction This abstract describes a structured approach to reorganizing clinical pathways of a psychiatric department, and the adjustment of information systems for planning, monitoring and evaluating. The redesign activities started in 1995. At that point in time, the department was structured in geographic catchment areas. All kinds of patients were treated by the geographical team. Unwanted variations in practice were recorded for the same type of patient between areas, especially for non-pharmacological interventions. In order to cope with this problem, the geographical approach was abolished, and three specialist teams were set up, each working with diagnostically different groups of patients. The department now has three different clinical pathways: