Effect of Using Clinical Pathway on Nursing Care For Neonates with Sepsis

Early identification and implementation of the sepsis protocol/pathway will provide positive outcomes for neonates cared for at neonatal intensive care unit. The quality of care rendered will be positively affected by having a standard protocol/pathway. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of clinical pathway on nursing care for neonates with sepsis. A quasi-experimental design was used. This study was carried out at neonatal intensive care units affiliated to Benha University Hospital and Benha specialized hospital of children and Benha Teaching Hospital at Benha city. A convenient sample of (140) nurses and all the available neonates with sepsis (140 neonates). Three tools were used; Tool I- A structured interviewing schedule, which consists of four parts: Nurses' characteristics, neonates' characteristics, Nurses' knowledge regarding neonatal sepsis, and Nurses' Knowledge about nursing care for neonates with sepsis. Tool II- Clinical pathway of care checklist. Tool III-Neonatal clinical outcome assessment sheet. Results of this study revealed that, there were statistically significant differences regarding the effect of clinical pathway on the clinical outcomes of studied neonate's pre and post clinical pathway implementation. This study concluded that: Implementation of the clinical pathway improved nurses' knowledge and practice that reflecting obvious improvement in clinical outcomes of neonates with sepsis. The study recommended that: Clinical pathway on nursing care of neonates with sepsis should be applied for neonates with sepsis at different settings.