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Clinical Pathways promote evidence based, safe, and high-value care for patients by providing clinical recommendations and standard processes. They are developed by multidisciplinary committees of subject matter experts, informed by methodical review of available evidence and consensus among committee members. 

Clinical Pathway: 

Inclusion and exclusion criteria

Inclusion:  

  • Suspected musculoskeletal infections 
  • Septic arthritis 
  • Osteomyelitis 
  • Pyomyositis 

Exclusion:  

  • Sepsis 
  • Necrotizing fasciitis 

Committee members involved in the development: 

  • Margaret Hainline, MD | Hospital Medicine | Committee Chair 
  • Lina Patel, MD | Emergency Department | Committee Member 
  • Lisa Schroeder, MD | Medical Administration | Committee Member 
  • Lisa Berglund, MD | Orthopedic Surgery | Committee Member
  • Mary Anne Jackson, MD | Medical Administration | Committee Member 
  • Jeff Michael, DO, FAAP | Evidence Based Practice Department & Emergency Medicine | Committee Member 
  • Jarrod Dusin, MS, RD, LD, CPHQ | Evidence Based Practice | Committee Member 

Publication dates: 

  • Finalized date: 11/27/2018; 6/26/2019; 9/14/2020; 1/7/2022  
  • Next expected revision date: January 2025 

If you have any questions regarding this content, or identify a broken link, please email evidencebasedpractice@cmh.edu. 

These pathways do not establish a standard of care to be followed in every case. It is recognized that each case is different, and those individuals involved in providing health care are expected to use their judgment in determining what is in the best interests of the patient based on the circumstances existing at the time. It is impossible to anticipate all possible situations that may exist and to prepare a pathway for each. Accordingly, these pathways should guide care with the understanding that departures from them may be required at times.