Acute bacterial meningitis (ABM) is an uncommon but potentially fatal neurologic emergency that
requires prompt recognition, diagnostic evaluation, and initiation of parenteral antibiotics. Meningitis results from
inflammation of the pia-arachnoid meninges as well as cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). Thus, patients with meningitis
often present with signs of meningeal irritation Overturf, (2005). Therefore, the aim of this study was to assess the
effect of clinical pathway regarding promoting quality nursing care of children with meningitis exposed to invasive
procedures through designing, implementing, and evaluating the effect of clinical pathway intervention. A quasi
experimental (intervention) study design was utilized to achieve the aim of this study. With a sample of 42 nurses,
regardless of their educational level, years of experience, and attainment of training courses. The study was
conducted at Benha Fever Hospital and Tookh Fever Hospital in meningitis units. The tools of data collection were
1) Interviewing questionnaire was constructed by the researcher, to assess their knowledge about invasive
procedures and meningitis 2) Observational checklist to evaluate quality of nursing care during invasive procedures
by using a clinical pathway, 3) Behavioral Pain Assessment Scales for Young Children FLACC Scale to assess level
and intensity of pain before, during and after invasive procedures, 4) Observational child assessments sheet It was
designed to observe children's level of anxiety during and after invasive procedures.. The results revealed that, there
was that the total means score of nurses' performance regarding invasive procedure pre and post clinical pathway
guidelines implementation, had a highly significant difference, and there was no significant correlation between total
knowledge and total performance pre the clinical pathway guidelines implementation. While post implementation
there was a significant correlation between total knowledge and total performance. It was concluded from the study
that, implementation of the nursing clinical pathway can improve quality of nursing care of children with meningitis
undergoing invasive procedure through improving their knowledge, enhancing their performance regarding invasive
procedures, reduces the child's level of anxiety. The study recommended that clinical pathway approach of care
can be generalized for utilization by health team members in the different health agencies.
[Faten Shafik Mahmoud and Basma rabie Abd-ElSadik. Effect of Clinical Pathway Regarding Promoting
Quality Nursing Care of Children with Meningitis Exposed to |
