Developing a clinical pathway for non-invasive ventilation

Summary Lately the use of non-invasive ventilation (NIV) has gained popularity as an alternative to traditional invasive ventilation for the management of patients presenting with acute respiratory failure. This is largely due to the fact that NIV reduces the risks associated with invasive ventilation. The lack of published guidelines for the effective use of NIV has prompted the researchers' interest in the development of a clinical pathway for the use of NIV in adult patients in the critical care unit (CCU). The aim of the research was to identify the compulsory components to be included in the clinical pathway and to develop a clinical pathway for NIV. The research design utilized for this study was qualitative, contextual, explorative and descriptive in nature. The study consisted of three phases: Phase 1: Explorative phase - identify the compulsory com- ponents of the clinical pathway; Phase 2: Literature control - to confirm the components for inclusion in the clinical pathway and Phase 3: Development of a clinical pathway for NIV. A draft clinical pathway was developed based on the findings of Phases 1 and 2. The members of the multidisciplinary team were given an opportunity to comment on the draft clinical pathway. These inputs were included in the development of the final clinical pathway for NIV. The aims and objectives of the study were realized and culminated in the development of a clinical pathway for NIV which can be implemented in the CCU.