Implementing a multidisciplinary HIV diarrhea critical pathway in the acute care setting

Area of Science:

• Healthcare Management
• Infectious Diseases
• Nursing Practice

Background:

• Clinical pathways are emerging as a key strategy for controlling hospital length of stay and healthcare costs.
• HIV-related diarrhea can significantly increase morbidity, hospitalization duration, and associated healthcare expenses for patients with AIDS.
• Effective management strategies are crucial for optimizing care and reducing the economic burden of HIV-related complications.

Purpose of the Study:

• To describe the development and implementation of a multidisciplinary HIV Diarrhea Critical Pathway.
• To highlight the nursing issues encountered during the piloting phase of the critical pathway.
• To report on the initial evaluation of the pathway's effectiveness over the first three years.

Main Methods:

• Development of a multidisciplinary critical pathway specifically for HIV-related diarrhea.
• Implementation of the pathway within a hospital setting.
• Evaluation of the pathway's impact over a 3-year period, with a focus on nursing process and outcomes.

Main Results:

• Successful development and implementation of a specialized HIV Diarrhea Critical Pathway.
• Identification and resolution of key nursing challenges during pathway piloting.
• Initial data suggests the pathway's utility in managing HIV-related diarrhea.

Conclusions:

• Multidisciplinary critical pathways, like the HIV Diarrhea Critical Pathway, offer a structured approach to managing complex patient needs.
• Addressing nursing-specific issues is vital for the successful implementation and adoption of clinical pathways.
• The pathway demonstrates potential for improving care and managing costs associated with HIV-related diarrhea.