Clinical Pathway Interventions and Their Effects on Acute Copd Exacerbation Outcomes

Acute exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (AECOPD) pose substantial challenges for patients and healthcare systems, including increased mortality, prolonged hospitalization, and higher costs. This quasi-experimental study assessed the effect 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). Key outcomes included ICU length of stay, dyspnea and anxiety scores, pulmonary function tests, and arterial blood gas (ABG) parameters. The CP group demonstrated significantly shorter ICU stays (4.73 vs. 7.83 days, p<0.001), greater reductions in dyspnea and anxiety scores, and improved pulmonary function and ABG values compared to the non-CP group (p<0.001). Implementation of a clinical pathway enhances AECOPD management by reducing hospitalization duration and improving both respiratory and psychological outcomes