Registered nurses' experiences with an evidence-based home care pathway for myocardial infarction clients

To obtain home health nurses' comments on an evidence-based care pathway for post myocardial infarction.

A qualitative design was used.

Culturally diverse, lower income area of a large city.

All home health nurses from one nursing agency who participated in a comparative study on the impact of the evidence-based care pathway.

The largest number of comments made by the nurses were related to the beneficial impact of the pathway on the provision of quality nursing care and on increased job satisfaction. The home health nurses reported that the pathway increased clients' knowledge of medications and diet. In addition, they commented that they were able to use the pathway effectively because of the training they received from the inpatient cardiac nurses.

This qualitative study demonstrates the benefits of investing in the implementation of best practice guidelines by home health nurses. However, nursing associations, such as the Canadian Community Health Nurses Initiatives Group, will need to continue to champion for additional funds to support the additional expenses incurred.