EFFECT OF DESIGNATED EVIDENCE-BASED GUIDELINES ON NURSING PERFORMANCE AMONG PATIENTS WITH AUTOIMMUNE DISEASE UNDERGOING PLASMAPHERESIS

Background Plasmapheresis is a medical procedure that involves the extraction, substitution, or exchange of blood plasma externally from the body. Nurses hold a crucial role within the multidisciplinary team in executing and supervising the plasmapheresis treatment. The aim of this study was to assess the impact of designated evidence-based guidelines on nursing performance among patients with autoimmune disease undergoing plasmapheresis. Design: A quasi-experimental research design utilizing a pretest and a posttest will be employed to fulfill the aim of this study. Sitting: This study was performed at the therapeutic plasma exchange room in the Hemodialysis unit in Ain Shams University Hospital affiliated to Ain Shams University. Tools: A structured interview questionnaire for nurses comprised two sections: Section 1: Demographic Attributes of Nurses, Section 2: Nurses' knowledge of the Plasmapheresis Procedure. Result: 33.3% of the studied nurses exhibited good knowledge before the intervention, which increased to 76.7% post-intervention, indicating highly statistically significant differences, also this study showed improvement in nurses’ level of practice regarding plasmapheresis 53.3 % competent level of practice pre intervention become 93.3 % competent level of practice post intervention. Conclusion: The results indicated that the implementation of specific evidence-based guidelines markedly improved nurses' knowledge and practice. This study emphasizes the significance of incorporating evidence-based guidelines into clinical practice and ensuring continuous education and training for nurses. Recommendations: Evidence-based guidelines should be implemented as a standard protocol in all units where plasmapheresis is performed and the Nursing curriculum should incorporate the best evidence-based protocols for procedures such as plasmapheresis, ensuring that graduated nurses are well-prepared.