EFFECTIVENESS OF A CLINICAL PATHWAY EDUCATION PROGRAM FOR CARDIAC NURSES

Talal Ali Hussein Al-Qalah* and Hayat Fadlalla Mukhtar

ABSTRACT

An implementation of an education program and a clinical pathway could improve nurses’ knowledge of cardiac surgical management. Aim of the study: To evaluate the effect of an education program and a clinical pathway implementation. Methods: A quasi-experimental research design was conducted in the cardiac center at the Sudan Heart Center and Ahmed Qasim Hospital-Khartoum state-Sudan. A convenience sample of 51 nurses and 60 adult cardiac surgical patients. An education program and clinical pathway developed and implemented. Results: After implementation of an educational program and clinical pathway, they were associated with significant increase in nurses’ knowledge (P<0.05), improve patient outcomes as significant reduction in length of ICU stay (P0.018) and decease length of hospital stay (P0.022). While there was insignificant in decrease complication (P0.065) and hospital readmission (P0.609). Conclusion: Education program and a clinical pathway have a positive impact on nurses’ knowledge and practice as indicated by improving patients’ outcome.

Keywords: Education program, clinical pathway, knowledge, outcome.