Introduction: Integrated care pathways (ICP) can be used for delivering and monitoring best care practice. In the UK the Liverpool Integrated Care Pathway for the dying (LCP) is an important ICP which use is becoming wide-spread. The importance of the LCP is recognised in other European countries. However, differences in language are obstacles to overcome.
Method: The LCP was translated into Dutch according to EORTCguidelines. Hence it was introduced in three specialised palliative care units and evaluated for use in the Netherlands. Furthermore, Dutch data regarding the outcomes of care were compared with data of a specialised palliative care unit in the UK (MCC).
Results: Straightforward translation resulted in the feeling that part of the meaning was lost or not captured. Therefore, we adjusted the pathway in such a way that it methodically better reflects the practice of Dutch health care. The necessary adjustments were possible without changing the meaning of the goals of the LCP and therefore, comparison was still feasible. The results between the units in the Netherlands and the UK were very similar with respect to percentages of all deaths on the LCP (51 vs 53%; n=83/171), and the median time on the LCP (43 vs 48 h). In the achieved outcomes at initial assessment the goals physical comfort and psychological insight were more often achieved in the Dutch units (91 vs 78 and 91 vs 72%, respectively). Respectively 70 and 55% of the patients were on the LCP for at least 24h. For these patients the registration of ongoing care scored the same related to "no episode of pain" (68 vs 64%).
Conclusion: Translation and introduction of an ICP, in this case the LCP, in another health care setting is possible, enabling comparison of the demonstrable outcomes of care opening the possibility of exchange of experiences.