Critical pathways, developed for utilisation in the health sector, are tools that are increasingly being used to implement co-ordinated patient care. The introduction of critical pathways results in planned progress through an episode of care, whilst optimising health outcomes and minimising resource utilisation. The advantages of implementing critical pathways are increasingly evident, with reports of increased co-ordination of activities, minimum delays in the provision of care, enhanced interdisciplinary communication, enhanced communication with clients, improved discharge planning processes and the implementation of a continuous quality improvement process (Pearson et al, 1995, p941-948). Hospitals in rural areas have not been excluded from the issue of providing quality care whilst containing costs. Distance, sparse population density and decreased resources intensify the need for co-ordinated care systems in rural areas. Co-ordinated care planning to date has centred on metropolitan, acute care hospitals, although interest in the design and implementation of critical pathways has been demonstrated by many health agencies in rural areas wanting to share in the advantages of implementing critical pathways (Spath, 1999, p45-48; Bertram, 1996 p54-66; Rawskey, 1996, p49-51; Ely, 1995, p66-64).