Chronic Diarrhea

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

Clinical/ERAS Pathway: 

• Chronic Diarrhea Algorithm
• Chronic Diarrhea Synopsis- provides care standards employed for this clinical pathway  

Inclusion and exclusion criteria: 

• Inclusion: 
  • Patients > 1 year of age
  • Diarrhea for ≥ 14 days 
  • Loose/watery stools 

• Exclusion:
  • Diarrhea for < 14 days (see Acute Gastroenteritis pathway) 
  • Known to be immunocompromised 

Committee members involved in the development: 

• Katy Clarkston, MD | Gastroenterology | Committee Chair 
• Maria (Pachi) Deza Leon, MD | Infectious Diseases | Committee Member 
• Ashley Hacker, DO | Hospital Medicine | Committee Member 
• Neena Kanwar, PhD | Pathology and Laboratory Medicine | Committee Member
• Kirby Lampe, DO | Pediatric Fellow (Gastroenterology) | Committee Member 
• Erin McCann, MD, MPH | General Academic Pediatrics | Committee Member 
• Victoria Sarata, MD | Pediatric Fellow (Gastroenterology) | Committee Member  

EBP Committee Members  

• Kathleen Berg, MD, FAAP | Evidence Based Practice 
• Megan Gripka, MPH, MLS (ASCP) SM | Evidence Based Practice  

Publication dates: 

• Finalized date: 07/2026
• Next expected revision date: 07/2029

Concerns with content: 

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.