ENHANCING CLINICAL OUTCOMES AND QUALITY OF LIFE IN ACUTE MYOCARDIAL INFARCTION PATIENTS THROUGH STANDARD CLINICAL PATHWAY IMPLEMENTATION: A STUDY FROM A PUBLIC TERTIARY CARE HOSPITAL IN KARACHI, PAKISTAN

Objectives: This study aimed to assess and compare the impact of implementing a standard clinical pathway on clinical outcomes and quality of life among Acute Myocardial Infarction (AMI) patients at Dr. Ruth Katherina Martha Pfau Civil Hospital in Karachi, Pakistan. Methodology: A quasi-experimental non-randomized controlled study was conducted from September to December 2018, involving 220 AMI patients. The control group (110) received standard care, while the interventional group (110) was managed using a standardized clinical pathway. Data was collected using the AMI standard clinical pathway tool and the SF-36 questionnaire. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS version 22, presenting categorical variables as frequencies and percentages, and continuous variables as mean and standard deviation. Mean differences in clinical parameters and quality of life were assessed using paired sample t-tests with a significance level set at p < 0.05. Results: Among the participants, 50% were in the control group and 50% in the interventional group, with a predominance of males. The quality-of-life scores significantly differed between the control and intervention groups (p < 0.001). Furthermore, significant improvements in quality of life were observed in both male and female patients’ post-intervention (p < 0.001). Conclusion: Implementation of a standard clinical pathway led to improved clinical outcomes and quality of life among AMI patients. This highlights the potential benefits of standardized care pathways in enhancing patient outcomes in similar healthcare settings.