Improving Nurses' Performance regarding Noninvasive Continuous Positive Airway Pressure for Neonates: Application of Clinical Pathway

Background: Noninvasive continuous positive airway pressure represents applying a constant positive pressure at the airway opening during the spontaneous breathing, its use is common and reducing the need for mechanical ventilation in neonates with respiratory distress syndrome. Clinical pathway provides detailed steps for each stage in the management of neonates with a specific condition in a determined period and include progress and outcomes details. Aim of the study was to improve the nurses' performance regarding noninvasive continuous positive airway pressure for neonates. Design: A quasi- experimental design was used in the current study. Settings: The study was carried out at Neonatal Intensive Care Units at Benha University Hospital and Benha Specialized pediatric Hospital at Benha city. Subjects: All available nurses (60) nurses who working at previously mentioned settings and a purposive sample of (60) neonates on noninvasive continuous positive airway pressure. Tools of data collection: Tool (1): A structure interview questionnaire format including subjects' characteristics and nurses' knowledge regarding care of neonates undergoing noninvasive continuous positive airway pressure. Tool (II): Clinical pathway checklists. Results: The majority of studied nurses had a poor level of knowledge and practice pre clinical pathway compared with most of them had a good level of knowledge and comptent practce post clinical pathway application map for care of neonates. Conclusion: clinical pathway improved nurses' knowledge and practice regarding noninvasive continuous positive airway pressure for neonates. Recommendations: Provision of continuous education by using clinical pathways to update nurses' knowledge and practice on noninvasive continuous positive airway pressure.