Effectiveness of Clinical Pathways in Acute Copd Care: A Clinical Evaluation

Acute exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (AECOPD) present substantial challenges to patients and healthcare systems, including increased mortality, longer hospital stays, and higher costs. This quasi-experimental study evaluated the impact of a clinical pathway on outcomes in 60 adult AECOPD patients at Mansoura Main University Hospital. Patients were assigned to either a clinical pathway group (CP, n = 30) or a routine care group (non-CP, n = 30). Outcomes assessed included ICU length of stay, dyspnea and anxiety levels, pulmonary function tests, and arterial blood gas (ABG) values. The CP group exhibited significantly shorter ICU stays (4.73 vs. 7.83 days, p = 0.00), greater reductions in dyspnea and anxiety scores, and improved pulmonary function and ABG values compared to the non-CP group (p = 0.00). These findings indicate that clinical pathway implementation enhances management effectiveness for AECOPD patients by reducing hospitalization duration and improving both respiratory and psychological outcomes