Effect of applying a clinical pathway for patients with Congestive Heart Failure on their health status outcomes

Abstract

Over time, heart failure (HF) turns into a typical cardiovascular condition whose occurrence and predominance are increasing. Being a typical cause for urgent hospital admission, it is a noteworthy cause for morbidity and mortality for patients with CHF. In Egypt around 1.5 million individuals have CHF. A multidisciplinary approach appears the most ideal approach to manage patients with HF since it has been appeared to enhance clinical outcome and particularly to diminish the rate of readmission related to acute or chronic decompensation. The aim of this research is to determine the effect of implementing a clinical pathway for patients with Congestive Heart Failure on their health status outcomes. A quasi-experimental research design was utilized in this study on a convenient sample of 68 patients with CHF divided to equal group (34 patients each). The study was conducted, in the cardiology department and outpatient clinic of cardiology at Sohag Cardiac and Hepatic institution. Three tools were used for data collection: Congestive Heart Failure Patient Assessment, Clinical Pathway Protocol, and a Congestive Heart Failure Patient Variance Sheet. The results of the study showed good improvement in complaints of the study group. Improving care and practice can provide a favorable effect on the incidence of the complications CHF patients are exposed to. The recommendation based on the results of this study is to apply a clinical pathway for patients with CHF, rather than the traditional care with the aid of established guidelines of care and illustrated patient education handout. In addition, providing comprehensive education and training for nurses who care for CHF patients lays the foundation for quality care.

Effects of Application of a Nurse Driven Clinical Pathway Guidelines on Selected Health Outcomes in Children with Congestive Heart Failure

“…The implementation of the clinical pathway guidelines, which comprised care elements linked to a healthy low salt and fat diet, fluid reduction, constant weight monitoring, as well as diuretics medication dose at the right time, may have helped the Clinical Pathway group improve. This result was in line with that of Mohamed et al (2016), who found that while the majority of the study group showed no signs of edema, the control group's two-thirds needed 10-12 seconds to recover from a 6mm-deep pit.…”

Experiences of using clinical pathways in hospitals: Perspectives of quality improvement personnel

“…Various CPs, ranging from acute surgical procedures to chronic diseases, have been introduced in hospital settings (Campbell et al, 1998 ; Chawla et al, 2016 ; Dy et al, 2005 ; Hindle & Yazbeck, 2005 ; Mohamed et al, 2019 ; Vanhaecht et al, 2006 ; Vanhaecht et al, 2009 ). These CPs are intended to reduce patients' length of stay, readmissions, and costs, and improve clinical outcomes.…”