Publication
Title
Development and implementation of a critical pathway for patients with chest pain through action research
Author
Abstract
Aims and background: We report on the development and implementation of a critical pathway for patients with chest pain making use of action research. Methods: Firstly the population to be included in the pathway was defined and a coordinator was assigned. Secondly a multidisciplinary workgroup for the development of the pathway was instated. The actual development of the pathway consisted of four major steps: (1) evaluation of the current process of care for the chest pain unit (CPU) patients, (2) evaluation of medical evidence and practice in other hospitals, (3) optimization of the process and (4) actual drafting of the pathway. Finally the pathway development was followed by the implementation of the pathway. Results: A chest pain critical pathway could be successfully developed, leading to (1) a triage flowchart based on the European Society of Cardiology guidelines categorizing patients in different risk groups; (2) CPU and hospital standing orders and protocols for the management of the different risk groups; (3) revision of physician and nursing medical records; and (4) development of admission and discharge brochures for patients and family admitted to the CPU. Conclusion: To our best knowledge this paper is the first to report on the use of action research to develop a critical pathway for patients with symptoms suggestive of an acute coronary syndrome admitted to a chest pain unit. Our experience suggests that it can serve as a means to reach the objective of conceiving and implementing an evidence-based pathway into everyday clinical practice.
Language
English
Source (journal)
European journal of cardiovascular nursing. - Sophia Antipolis
Publication
Sophia Antipolis : 2012
ISSN
1474-5151
DOI
10.1016/J.EJCNURSE.2011.05.004
Volume/pages
11 :4 (2012) , p. 466-471
ISI
000312348500015
Full text (Publisher's DOI)
UAntwerpen
Faculty/Department
Research group
Publication type
Subject
Affiliation
Publications with a UAntwerp address
External links
Web of Science
Record
Identifier
Creation 28.02.2013
Last edited 09.10.2023
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