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SOC Pathways

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Policy and/or Procedure Name:

SOC Pathways

  

Department:

Operations

  

Employees Affected
by Role:

All clinical staff

 
 

SOP Owner:

Legal (Compliance)

  

Last Update & Approval:

4/16/2025

  

Standard Operating Policy and/or Procedure

1. Purpose

To ensure all healthcare providers deliver consistent, high-quality, and evidence-based care by adhering to established Standards of Care (SOC) pathways for diagnosis, treatment, and follow-up of clinical conditions.

2. Scope

This policy applies to all licensed healthcare providers (physicians, nurse practitioners, physician assistants, etc.).

3. Definitions

  • Standards of Care (SOC) Pathways: Structured, evidence-based clinical guidelines or algorithms designed to streamline decision-making and improve patient outcomes.
  • Provider: A licensed clinician authorized to diagnose and treat patients within their scope of practice.

4. Policy Statement

Providers are required to adhere to SOC pathways when diagnosing, managing, and following up with patients, except when clinical judgment, patient-specific factors, or unique circumstances necessitate deviation. Any such deviation must be documented clearly in the patient's medical record, including rationale.

5. Responsibilities

5.1 Providers Must:

  • Follow approved SOC pathways during patient care.
  • Stay current with updates to pathways through mandatory training or organizational communications.
  • Document adherence or clinically justified deviations in the patient record.
  • Participate in audits, case reviews, or quality improvement initiatives related to SOC pathway adherence.

5.2 Clinical Leadership Must:

  • Review and approve SOC pathways annually or as new evidence emerges.
  • Provide training and updates to all clinical staff.
  • Monitor compliance and address concerns or patterns of non-adherence.
  • Support providers in cases where deviation from the pathway is justified.

6. Exceptions

SOC pathways are guides, not mandates. Providers may deviate when:

  • Patient-specific factors contraindicate the standard pathway.
  • Evidence supports an alternative course of action.
  • A patient refuses care consistent with the pathway (after informed consent discussion).

All exceptions must be well-documented.

7. Monitoring and Compliance

  • Regular audits will be conducted to assess provider compliance.
  • Non-compliance may result in additional training, review, or corrective actions in line with organizational policy.
  • Trends will be reviewed by the Quality Improvement (QI) Committee.
  • Clinical SOC Pathway Library
  • Provider Code of Conduct
  • Medical Record Documentation Policy
  • Quality Assurance Program Guidelines

9. Review and Revision

This policy will be reviewed annually by the Medical Director and updated as needed to reflect current evidence and organizational needs.

 

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