Health Outcomes among Patients with Acute Infective Endocarditis Linked to Nurses’ Performance along with Standard Care Protocol.

Background: Infective endocarditis carries a high risk of morbidity and mortality. Rapid diagnosis, effective treatment, and prompt recognition of complications are essential to good patient outcomes. Aim: This study aimed to evaluate health outcomes among patients with acute infective endocarditis linked to nurses’ performance along with standard care protocol. Design: A quasi- experimental research design was utilized in this study. Setting: The study was carried out at Coronary Care Unit in Benha University Hospital, Egypt. Sample: Convenient sample of (45) nurses and purposive sample of (60) adult conscious patients. Tools: Three tools were used; Tool (1): Self-administered questionnaire to assess nurses' knowledge concerning acute infective endocarditis. Tool (2): Observational checklist to assess nurses' practice regarding acute infective endocarditis patients. Tool (3): Structured interviewing questionnaire to assess patients’ health outcomes. Results: The study revealed that 20.0% of studied nurses had satisfactory level of total knowledge. Moreover, 15.6% of studied nurses had adequate level of total practice about nursing care for patient with acute infective endocarditis pre standard care protocol, which improved immediately and post one-month of implementation to become 71.1%, 64.4%, respectively with a statistically significant difference at (p≤0.05). Also, incidence of complications pre standard care protocol was among 96.7% of patients, which slightly declined immediately and post one-month periods of implementation to become 86.7%, 50% respectively. Conclusion: Standard care protocol has been shown to be effective in improving health outcomes of patient with acute infective endocarditis. Recommendations: conducting in-service educational and training programs for nurses and patients regarding acute infective endocarditis.