Six-Month Pilot Study Demonstrates Improved Guideline Adherence Following Implementation of Standardized Cirrhosis Clinical Pathway

The pilot measured improvements in five care-adherence metrics, with findings still preliminary pending presentation and peer-reviewed evaluation.

Rhea-AI Summary

Bausch Health (BHC) and its Salix gastroenterology business announced improved cirrhosis care adherence in a six-month community-practice pilot study. The study included 4,251 patients across five practices and evaluated a standardized care pathway supported by population health analytics.

Office visit adherence rose from 46.9% to 51.1%, while recommended laboratory monitoring increased from 61.5% to 63.5%. Beta-blocker treatment among patients with varices rose from 47.2% to 48.8%. Medication treatment to reduce recurrence of hepatic encephalopathy, a brain-function complication of liver disease, increased from 60.2% to 64.9%. Enrollment in chronic care management/principal care management programs rose from 11.7% to 12.8%.

The findings were accepted for presentation at the ACG annual meeting in Nashville, October 9–14, 2026. They remain preliminary pending presentation and further evaluation in peer-reviewed publications.

Positive

• Minor pointOffice visit adherence increased from 46.9% to 51.1% during the six-month pilot, a 9.0% relative improvement.
• Minor pointMedication treatment to reduce hepatic encephalopathy recurrence rose from 60.2% to 64.9%, a 7.8% relative improvement.
• Minor pointRecommended laboratory monitoring adherence increased from 61.5% to 63.5%, a 3.2% relative improvement.
• Minor pointBeta-blocker treatment among patients with varices increased from 47.2% to 48.8%, a 3.4% relative improvement.
• Minor pointChronic care management/principal care management enrollment increased from 11.7% to 12.8%, a 9.4% relative improvement.

Negative

• Minor pointPilot findings remain preliminary until presented and further evaluated in peer-reviewed publications.

Key Figures

Patients analyzed: 4,251 patients Office visit adherence: 46.9% to 51.1%; 9.0% relative improvement Laboratory monitoring adherence: 61.5% to 63.5%; 3.2% relative improvement +3 more

Patients analyzed

4,251 patients

Cirrhosis pilot study

Office visit adherence

46.9% to 51.1%; 9.0% relative improvement

Six-month pilot period

Laboratory monitoring adherence

61.5% to 63.5%; 3.2% relative improvement

Six-month pilot period

Non-selective beta-blocker treatment rate

47.2% to 48.8%; 3.4% relative improvement

Patients with varices

Hepatic encephalopathy medication treatment rate

60.2% to 64.9%; 7.8% relative improvement

Reducing recurrence

Care management program enrollment

11.7% to 12.8%; 9.4% relative improvement

Chronic care management/principal care management

Key Terms

cirrhosis, nonselective beta-blocker, varices, hepatic encephalopathy

4 terms

cirrhosis medical

"a standardized clinical pathway for cirrhosis management"

Cirrhosis is long-term damage to the liver in which healthy tissue is replaced by scar tissue, leaving the organ stiff and less able to do jobs like filtering blood, making proteins and processing nutrients—think of a sponge that has been hardened and can no longer soak or squeeze properly. Investors care because cirrhosis drives demand for medicines, medical devices and hospital care, affects clinical trial populations and regulatory risk, and can influence healthcare costs, insurance liabilities and workforce productivity.

nonselective beta-blocker medical

"nonselective beta-blocker use in patients with varices"

A nonselective beta-blocker is a drug that blocks multiple types of beta-adrenergic receptors, chiefly both beta-1 receptors in the heart and beta-2 receptors in the lungs and blood vessels. By preventing these receptors from responding to adrenaline and similar signals, it lowers heart rate and blood pressure and can affect airway tone and metabolism; because it blocks beta-2 receptors as well as beta-1, it can cause bronchospasm in people with reactive airways and can alter blood sugar responses.

varices medical

"patients with varices"

Dilated, abnormally enlarged veins that develop when blood flow is obstructed or pressure in a vein increases, most commonly occurring in the esophagus or stomach (portal hypertension) or the lower limbs (varicose veins). They have thin walls and are prone to rupture and bleeding; in clinical reports the term often indicates a pathological finding that may require medical or endoscopic management to prevent or control hemorrhage.

hepatic encephalopathy medical

"hepatic encephalopathy treatment"

A decline in brain function caused when a failing liver can no longer remove toxins from the blood, allowing substances such as ammonia to build up and interfere with thinking, coordination and alertness. Think of the liver as the body’s filter: when it clogs, toxic “smog” reaches the brain and causes confusion, sleepiness or coma. Investors watch this condition because its prevalence, available treatments, clinical-trial outcomes and regulatory decisions can materially affect the market value and prospects of healthcare companies and drug developers.

AI-generated analysis. How Rhea-AI works. Not financial advice.

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LAVAL, QC, Oct. 12, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Bausch Health Companies Inc. (NYSE:BHC)(TSX:BHC) and its gastroenterology (GI) business, Salix Pharmaceuticals ("Salix"), announced results from a multicenter pilot study evaluating a standardized clinical pathway for cirrhosis management demonstrated improved adherence to evidence-based monitoring and treatment practices across community gastroenterology settings. The findings will be presented as a poster at the American College of Gastroenterology (ACG) Annual Scientific Meeting & Postgraduate Course, taking place October 9-14, 2026, in Nashville, Tennessee.

The study, "Development and Implementation of a Cirrhosis Clinical Pathway: Outcomes of a 6-Month Pilot Study," assessed the feasibility and impact of a multidisciplinary clinical pathway designed to reduce variability in cirrhosis care and improve adherence to guideline-recommended management practices.

Cirrhosis is associated with significant morbidity and healthcare utilization, yet management approaches often vary across clinical settings. To address this challenge, investigators developed a standardized pathway informed by current clinical guidelines and evidence-based practices, with contributions from both academic and community-based healthcare providers.

The pathway was implemented across five community gastroenterology practices as part of a six-month quality improvement initiative. Using population health analytics, investigators monitored adherence to five key performance indicators, including follow-up office visit, laboratory testing, nonselective beta-blocker use in patients with varices, hepatic encephalopathy treatment, and enrollment in chronic care management programs.

The analysis included 4,251 patients with cirrhosis and demonstrated measurable improvements across several care metrics during the six-month pilot period:

• Office visit adherence increased from 46.9% at baseline to 51.1%, representing a 9.0% relative improvement.
• Recommended laboratory monitoring adherence increased from 61.5% to 63.5%, a 3.2% relative improvement.
• Non-selective beta-blocker treatment rates among patients with varices increased from 47.2% to 48.8%, a 3.4% relative improvement.
• Medication treatment rates for reducing hepatic encephalopathy recurrence increased from 60.2% to 64.9%, a 7.8% relative improvement.
• Enrollment in chronic care management/principal care management programs increased from 11.7% to 12.8%, representing a 9.4% relative improvement.

The investigators concluded that implementation of a standardized cirrhosis clinical pathway, supported by population health analytics, was feasible in community practice and resulted in improved adherence to guideline-based monitoring and treatment recommendations.

"These results highlight the value of a clinical pathway in helping providers deliver more consistent, guideline-based care for patients with cirrhosis," said Peng-Sheng (Brian) Ting, MD, principal investigator of the pilot initiative. "As the burden of liver disease continues to grow, broader adoption of proven care pathways may help close gaps in care, improve treatment adherence, and support better patient outcomes."

About the Study
The study leveraged the Cardinal Health PPS Analytics platform to identify gaps in care and monitor adherence to predefined clinical pathway benchmarks. Investigators believe the approach may serve as a scalable model for improving cirrhosis management in community practice settings and supporting delivery of guideline-concordant care.

The data presented in this release reflect findings submitted to and accepted for presentation at the American College of Gastroenterology Annual Scientific Meeting & Postgraduate Course 2026. Findings should be considered preliminary until presented and further evaluated in peer-reviewed publications.

About Bausch Health
Bausch Health Companies Inc. (NYSE:BHC)(TSX:BHC) is a global diversified pharmaceutical company enriching lives through our relentless drive to deliver better health care outcomes. We develop, manufacture and market a range of products primarily in gastroenterology, hepatology, neuroscience, dermatology, international pharmaceuticals and eye health, through our controlling interest in Bausch + Lomb Corporation. Our ambition is to be a globally integrated healthcare company, trusted and valued by patients, HCPs, employees and investors. Our gastroenterology business, Salix Pharmaceuticals, is one of the largest specialty pharmaceutical businesses in the world and has licensed, developed and marketed innovative products for the treatment of gastrointestinal diseases for more than 30 years. For more information about Salix, visit www.Salix.com and connect with us on LinkedIn. For more information about Bausch Health, visit www.bauschhealth.com and connect with us on LinkedIn.

©2026 Salix Pharmaceuticals or its affiliates.

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FAQ

AI-generated questions and answers. How Rhea-AI works. Not financial advice.

What did Bausch Health's six-month cirrhosis care pilot show?

The pilot showed improved adherence across five monitoring and treatment measures among 4,251 patients at five community gastroenterology practices. Measures covered office visits, laboratory monitoring, beta-blocker treatment among patients with varices, medication treatment to reduce hepatic encephalopathy recurrence, and care-management enrollment. The findings remain preliminary.

How did Bausch Health's cirrhosis pilot identify and track care gaps?

The study used the Cardinal Health PPS Analytics platform to identify care gaps and monitor adherence to predefined clinical pathway benchmarks. The standardized pathway was informed by current clinical guidelines and evidence-based practices, with contributions from academic and community-based healthcare providers.