Effects of Nurse-led Patient Pathways

The NPP include a comprehensive needs and goal assessment. Patients appreciated written information provided at an early stage of their hospital stay that helped to prepare them for discharge. The NPP continue with pre- and post-operative patient care, and conclude with a newly implemented follow-up phone call after hospital discharge. Nursing interventions were presented in a checklist format, based on scientific and clinical evidence. The NPP were developed with regard to patient and family centered goals and objectives and were explicitly emphasized in the NPP. NPP guided the nursing care plan. Nurses act as advocates for patients' interests. Therefore NPPs represent a means to formalize these nursing activities and contribute to transparency in relation to other health professionals.