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Journal of Clinical and Diagnostic Research, ISSN - 0973 - 709X

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Dr Bhanu K Bhakhri

"The Journal of Clinical and Diagnostic Research (JCDR) has been in operation since almost a decade. It has contributed a huge number of peer reviewed articles, across a spectrum of medical disciplines, to the medical literature.
Its wide based indexing and open access publications attracts many authors as well as readers
For authors, the manuscripts can be uploaded online through an easily navigable portal, on other hand, reviewers appreciate the systematic handling of all manuscripts. The way JCDR has emerged as an effective medium for publishing wide array of observations in Indian context, I wish the editorial team success in their endeavour"



Dr Bhanu K Bhakhri
Faculty, Pediatric Medicine
Super Speciality Paediatric Hospital and Post Graduate Teaching Institute, Noida
On Sep 2018




Dr Mohan Z Mani

"Thank you very much for having published my article in record time.I would like to compliment you and your entire staff for your promptness, courtesy, and willingness to be customer friendly, which is quite unusual.I was given your reference by a colleague in pathology,and was able to directly phone your editorial office for clarifications.I would particularly like to thank the publication managers and the Assistant Editor who were following up my article. I would also like to thank you for adjusting the money I paid initially into payment for my modified article,and refunding the balance.
I wish all success to your journal and look forward to sending you any suitable similar article in future"



Dr Mohan Z Mani,
Professor & Head,
Department of Dematolgy,
Believers Church Medical College,
Thiruvalla, Kerala
On Sep 2018




Prof. Somashekhar Nimbalkar

"Over the last few years, we have published our research regularly in Journal of Clinical and Diagnostic Research. Having published in more than 20 high impact journals over the last five years including several high impact ones and reviewing articles for even more journals across my fields of interest, we value our published work in JCDR for their high standards in publishing scientific articles. The ease of submission, the rapid reviews in under a month, the high quality of their reviewers and keen attention to the final process of proofs and publication, ensure that there are no mistakes in the final article. We have been asked clarifications on several occasions and have been happy to provide them and it exemplifies the commitment to quality of the team at JCDR."



Prof. Somashekhar Nimbalkar
Head, Department of Pediatrics, Pramukhswami Medical College, Karamsad
Chairman, Research Group, Charutar Arogya Mandal, Karamsad
National Joint Coordinator - Advanced IAP NNF NRP Program
Ex-Member, Governing Body, National Neonatology Forum, New Delhi
Ex-President - National Neonatology Forum Gujarat State Chapter
Department of Pediatrics, Pramukhswami Medical College, Karamsad, Anand, Gujarat.
On Sep 2018




Dr. Kalyani R

"Journal of Clinical and Diagnostic Research is at present a well-known Indian originated scientific journal which started with a humble beginning. I have been associated with this journal since many years. I appreciate the Editor, Dr. Hemant Jain, for his constant effort in bringing up this journal to the present status right from the scratch. The journal is multidisciplinary. It encourages in publishing the scientific articles from postgraduates and also the beginners who start their career. At the same time the journal also caters for the high quality articles from specialty and super-specialty researchers. Hence it provides a platform for the scientist and researchers to publish. The other aspect of it is, the readers get the information regarding the most recent developments in science which can be used for teaching, research, treating patients and to some extent take preventive measures against certain diseases. The journal is contributing immensely to the society at national and international level."



Dr Kalyani R
Professor and Head
Department of Pathology
Sri Devaraj Urs Medical College
Sri Devaraj Urs Academy of Higher Education and Research , Kolar, Karnataka
On Sep 2018




Dr. Saumya Navit

"As a peer-reviewed journal, the Journal of Clinical and Diagnostic Research provides an opportunity to researchers, scientists and budding professionals to explore the developments in the field of medicine and dentistry and their varied specialities, thus extending our view on biological diversities of living species in relation to medicine.
‘Knowledge is treasure of a wise man.’ The free access of this journal provides an immense scope of learning for the both the old and the young in field of medicine and dentistry as well. The multidisciplinary nature of the journal makes it a better platform to absorb all that is being researched and developed. The publication process is systematic and professional. Online submission, publication and peer reviewing makes it a user-friendly journal.
As an experienced dentist and an academician, I proudly recommend this journal to the dental fraternity as a good quality open access platform for rapid communication of their cutting-edge research progress and discovery.
I wish JCDR a great success and I hope that journal will soar higher with the passing time."



Dr Saumya Navit
Professor and Head
Department of Pediatric Dentistry
Saraswati Dental College
Lucknow
On Sep 2018




Dr. Arunava Biswas

"My sincere attachment with JCDR as an author as well as reviewer is a learning experience . Their systematic approach in publication of article in various categories is really praiseworthy.
Their prompt and timely response to review's query and the manner in which they have set the reviewing process helps in extracting the best possible scientific writings for publication.
It's a honour and pride to be a part of the JCDR team. My very best wishes to JCDR and hope it will sparkle up above the sky as a high indexed journal in near future."



Dr. Arunava Biswas
MD, DM (Clinical Pharmacology)
Assistant Professor
Department of Pharmacology
Calcutta National Medical College & Hospital , Kolkata




Dr. C.S. Ramesh Babu
" Journal of Clinical and Diagnostic Research (JCDR) is a multi-specialty medical and dental journal publishing high quality research articles in almost all branches of medicine. The quality of printing of figures and tables is excellent and comparable to any International journal. An added advantage is nominal publication charges and monthly issue of the journal and more chances of an article being accepted for publication. Moreover being a multi-specialty journal an article concerning a particular specialty has a wider reach of readers of other related specialties also. As an author and reviewer for several years I find this Journal most suitable and highly recommend this Journal."
Best regards,
C.S. Ramesh Babu,
Associate Professor of Anatomy,
Muzaffarnagar Medical College,
Muzaffarnagar.
On Aug 2018




Dr. Arundhathi. S
"Journal of Clinical and Diagnostic Research (JCDR) is a reputed peer reviewed journal and is constantly involved in publishing high quality research articles related to medicine. Its been a great pleasure to be associated with this esteemed journal as a reviewer and as an author for a couple of years. The editorial board consists of many dedicated and reputed experts as its members and they are doing an appreciable work in guiding budding researchers. JCDR is doing a commendable job in scientific research by promoting excellent quality research & review articles and case reports & series. The reviewers provide appropriate suggestions that improve the quality of articles. I strongly recommend my fraternity to encourage JCDR by contributing their valuable research work in this widely accepted, user friendly journal. I hope my collaboration with JCDR will continue for a long time".



Dr. Arundhathi. S
MBBS, MD (Pathology),
Sanjay Gandhi institute of trauma and orthopedics,
Bengaluru.
On Aug 2018




Dr. Mamta Gupta,
"It gives me great pleasure to be associated with JCDR, since last 2-3 years. Since then I have authored, co-authored and reviewed about 25 articles in JCDR. I thank JCDR for giving me an opportunity to improve my own skills as an author and a reviewer.
It 's a multispecialty journal, publishing high quality articles. It gives a platform to the authors to publish their research work which can be available for everyone across the globe to read. The best thing about JCDR is that the full articles of all medical specialties are available as pdf/html for reading free of cost or without institutional subscription, which is not there for other journals. For those who have problem in writing manuscript or do statistical work, JCDR comes for their rescue.
The journal has a monthly publication and the articles are published quite fast. In time compared to other journals. The on-line first publication is also a great advantage and facility to review one's own articles before going to print. The response to any query and permission if required, is quite fast; this is quite commendable. I have a very good experience about seeking quick permission for quoting a photograph (Fig.) from a JCDR article for my chapter authored in an E book. I never thought it would be so easy. No hassles.
Reviewing articles is no less a pain staking process and requires in depth perception, knowledge about the topic for review. It requires time and concentration, yet I enjoy doing it. The JCDR website especially for the reviewers is quite user friendly. My suggestions for improving the journal is, more strict review process, so that only high quality articles are published. I find a a good number of articles in Obst. Gynae, hence, a new journal for this specialty titled JCDR-OG can be started. May be a bimonthly or quarterly publication to begin with. Only selected articles should find a place in it.
An yearly reward for the best article authored can also incentivize the authors. Though the process of finding the best article will be not be very easy. I do not know how reviewing process can be improved. If an article is being reviewed by two reviewers, then opinion of one can be communicated to the other or the final opinion of the editor can be communicated to the reviewer if requested for. This will help one’s reviewing skills.
My best wishes to Dr. Hemant Jain and all the editorial staff of JCDR for their untiring efforts to bring out this journal. I strongly recommend medical fraternity to publish their valuable research work in this esteemed journal, JCDR".



Dr. Mamta Gupta
Consultant
(Ex HOD Obs &Gynae, Hindu Rao Hospital and associated NDMC Medical College, Delhi)
Aug 2018




Dr. Rajendra Kumar Ghritlaharey

"I wish to thank Dr. Hemant Jain, Editor-in-Chief Journal of Clinical and Diagnostic Research (JCDR), for asking me to write up few words.
Writing is the representation of language in a textual medium i e; into the words and sentences on paper. Quality medical manuscript writing in particular, demands not only a high-quality research, but also requires accurate and concise communication of findings and conclusions, with adherence to particular journal guidelines. In medical field whether working in teaching, private, or in corporate institution, everyone wants to excel in his / her own field and get recognised by making manuscripts publication.


Authors are the souls of any journal, and deserve much respect. To publish a journal manuscripts are needed from authors. Authors have a great responsibility for producing facts of their work in terms of number and results truthfully and an individual honesty is expected from authors in this regards. Both ways its true "No authors-No manuscripts-No journals" and "No journals–No manuscripts–No authors". Reviewing a manuscript is also a very responsible and important task of any peer-reviewed journal and to be taken seriously. It needs knowledge on the subject, sincerity, honesty and determination. Although the process of reviewing a manuscript is a time consuming task butit is expected to give one's best remarks within the time frame of the journal.
Salient features of the JCDR: It is a biomedical, multidisciplinary (including all medical and dental specialities), e-journal, with wide scope and extensive author support. At the same time, a free text of manuscript is available in HTML and PDF format. There is fast growing authorship and readership with JCDR as this can be judged by the number of articles published in it i e; in Feb 2007 of its first issue, it contained 5 articles only, and now in its recent volume published in April 2011, it contained 67 manuscripts. This e-journal is fulfilling the commitments and objectives sincerely, (as stated by Editor-in-chief in his preface to first edition) i e; to encourage physicians through the internet, especially from the developing countries who witness a spectrum of disease and acquire a wealth of knowledge to publish their experiences to benefit the medical community in patients care. I also feel that many of us have work of substance, newer ideas, adequate clinical materials but poor in medical writing and hesitation to submit the work and need help. JCDR provides authors help in this regards.
Timely publication of journal: Publication of manuscripts and bringing out the issue in time is one of the positive aspects of JCDR and is possible with strong support team in terms of peer reviewers, proof reading, language check, computer operators, etc. This is one of the great reasons for authors to submit their work with JCDR. Another best part of JCDR is "Online first Publications" facilities available for the authors. This facility not only provides the prompt publications of the manuscripts but at the same time also early availability of the manuscripts for the readers.
Indexation and online availability: Indexation transforms the journal in some sense from its local ownership to the worldwide professional community and to the public.JCDR is indexed with Embase & EMbiology, Google Scholar, Index Copernicus, Chemical Abstracts Service, Journal seek Database, Indian Science Abstracts, to name few of them. Manuscriptspublished in JCDR are available on major search engines ie; google, yahoo, msn.
In the era of fast growing newer technologies, and in computer and internet friendly environment the manuscripts preparation, submission, review, revision, etc and all can be done and checked with a click from all corer of the world, at any time. Of course there is always a scope for improvement in every field and none is perfect. To progress, one needs to identify the areas of one's weakness and to strengthen them.
It is well said that "happy beginning is half done" and it fits perfectly with JCDR. It has grown considerably and I feel it has already grown up from its infancy to adolescence, achieving the status of standard online e-journal form Indian continent since its inception in Feb 2007. This had been made possible due to the efforts and the hard work put in it. The way the JCDR is improving with every new volume, with good quality original manuscripts, makes it a quality journal for readers. I must thank and congratulate Dr Hemant Jain, Editor-in-Chief JCDR and his team for their sincere efforts, dedication, and determination for making JCDR a fast growing journal.
Every one of us: authors, reviewers, editors, and publisher are responsible for enhancing the stature of the journal. I wish for a great success for JCDR."



Thanking you
With sincere regards
Dr. Rajendra Kumar Ghritlaharey, M.S., M. Ch., FAIS
Associate Professor,
Department of Paediatric Surgery, Gandhi Medical College & Associated
Kamla Nehru & Hamidia Hospitals Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh 462 001 (India)
E-mail: drrajendrak1@rediffmail.com
On May 11,2011




Dr. Shankar P.R.

"On looking back through my Gmail archives after being requested by the journal to write a short editorial about my experiences of publishing with the Journal of Clinical and Diagnostic Research (JCDR), I came across an e-mail from Dr. Hemant Jain, Editor, in March 2007, which introduced the new electronic journal. The main features of the journal which were outlined in the e-mail were extensive author support, cash rewards, the peer review process, and other salient features of the journal.
Over a span of over four years, we (I and my colleagues) have published around 25 articles in the journal. In this editorial, I plan to briefly discuss my experiences of publishing with JCDR and the strengths of the journal and to finally address the areas for improvement.
My experiences of publishing with JCDR: Overall, my experiences of publishing withJCDR have been positive. The best point about the journal is that it responds to queries from the author. This may seem to be simple and not too much to ask for, but unfortunately, many journals in the subcontinent and from many developing countries do not respond or they respond with a long delay to the queries from the authors 1. The reasons could be many, including lack of optimal secretarial and other support. Another problem with many journals is the slowness of the review process. Editorial processing and peer review can take anywhere between a year to two years with some journals. Also, some journals do not keep the contributors informed about the progress of the review process. Due to the long review process, the articles can lose their relevance and topicality. A major benefit with JCDR is the timeliness and promptness of its response. In Dr Jain's e-mail which was sent to me in 2007, before the introduction of the Pre-publishing system, he had stated that he had received my submission and that he would get back to me within seven days and he did!
Most of the manuscripts are published within 3 to 4 months of their submission if they are found to be suitable after the review process. JCDR is published bimonthly and the accepted articles were usually published in the next issue. Recently, due to the increased volume of the submissions, the review process has become slower and it ?? Section can take from 4 to 6 months for the articles to be reviewed. The journal has an extensive author support system and it has recently introduced a paid expedited review process. The journal also mentions the average time for processing the manuscript under different submission systems - regular submission and expedited review.
Strengths of the journal: The journal has an online first facility in which the accepted manuscripts may be published on the website before being included in a regular issue of the journal. This cuts down the time between their acceptance and the publication. The journal is indexed in many databases, though not in PubMed. The editorial board should now take steps to index the journal in PubMed. The journal has a system of notifying readers through e-mail when a new issue is released. Also, the articles are available in both the HTML and the PDF formats. I especially like the new and colorful page format of the journal. Also, the access statistics of the articles are available. The prepublication and the manuscript tracking system are also helpful for the authors.
Areas for improvement: In certain cases, I felt that the peer review process of the manuscripts was not up to international standards and that it should be strengthened. Also, the number of manuscripts in an issue is high and it may be difficult for readers to go through all of them. The journal can consider tightening of the peer review process and increasing the quality standards for the acceptance of the manuscripts. I faced occasional problems with the online manuscript submission (Pre-publishing) system, which have to be addressed.
Overall, the publishing process with JCDR has been smooth, quick and relatively hassle free and I can recommend other authors to consider the journal as an outlet for their work."



Dr. P. Ravi Shankar
KIST Medical College, P.O. Box 14142, Kathmandu, Nepal.
E-mail: ravi.dr.shankar@gmail.com
On April 2011

Important Notice

Original article / research
Year : 2024 | Month : June | Volume : 18 | Issue : 6 | Page : LE06 - LE10 Full Version

Clinical Care Pathways for Management of Common Complications of Pregnancy: A Narrative Review

Published: June 1, 2024 | DOI: https://doi.org/10.7860/JCDR/2024/66727.19526

Archana Sahadeo Teltumbde, Vaishali Taksande, Archana Taksande, Pradnya Sakle, Bali Thool

1. Assistant Professor, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology Nursing, Shrimati Radhikabai Meghe Memorial College of Nursing, Sawangi (M), Wardha, Maharashtra, India. 2. Professor, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology Nursing, Shrimati Radhikabai Meghe Memorial College of Nursing, Sawangi (M), Wardha, Maharashtra, India. 3. Assistant Professor, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology Nursing, Shrimati Radhikabai Meghe Memorial College of Nursing, Sawangi (M), Wardha, Maharashtra, India. 4. Assistant Professor, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology Nursing, Shrimati Radhikabai Meghe Memorial College of Nursing, Sawangi (M), Wardha, Maharashtra, India. 5. Assistant Professor, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology Nursing, Shrimati Radhikabai Meghe Memorial College of Nursing, Sawangi (M), Wardha, Maharashtra, India.

Correspondence Address :
Archana Sahadeo Teltumbde,
Assistant Professor, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology Nursing, Shrimati Radhikabai Meghe Memorial College of Nursing, Sawangi (M), Wardha-442107, Maharashtra, India.
E-mail: ladearchu@gmail.com

Abstract

India is a vast and diverse country with a complex healthcare scheme that faces significant challenges in providing quality care to its population. Obstetric care is a complex area of healthcare. The history of clinical care pathways in obstetric care reflects a continued effort to improve the quality and safety of healthcare for mothers and infants. This comprehensive review provides an overview of clinical care pathways in obstetric care. It sheds light on the current evidence supporting the use of clinical care pathways for the management of anaemia during pregnancy, Gestational Diabetes Mellitus (GDM), pre-eclampsia, and Preterm Labour (PTL). The primary aim of this review is to recognise the accessibility and strength of evidence for the use of clinical care pathways in the management of common complications of pregnancy.

Keywords

Anaemia gestational diabetes mellitus, Pre-eclampsia, Preterm labour

Introduction
Obstetric care is a complex area of healthcare in developing a care pathway for child-birth. Care pathways are evolving as effective tools to enhance clinical and organisational performance. The use of clinical care pathways has been studied to assess their effectiveness in improving patient outcomes and reducing healthcare costs (1). Definitions drawn from literature in the early to mid-1990s generally agree that the care map is presented as a graph or schedule of care activities described on a timeline and accomplished as part of the patient’s treatment by a multi-disciplinary team to achieve identified outcomes (2).

Clinical care pathways administered by the healthcare professionals and family members in providing care to support families by assisting them with the coordination of care in any domain of life, may find care mapping beneficial. This can involve nurses or nurse practitioners, social workers, community health workers, teachers, supporters, medical assistants, physicians, family navigators, family support workers, or peer support workers (3).

A clinical pathway is a multi-disciplinary management tool based on evidence-based practice for a specific group of patients with an anticipated clinical course, where the different roles of the professionals involved in patient care are defined, refined, and sequenced, whether by the hour, day (in acute care), or visit (in home care). Outcomes are directly tied to specific interventions. Clinical care maps can reduce patients’ hospital stays, increase overall efficiency, and improve service quality of healthcare professionals (4).

A study published in past literature showed that over the first two years of implementation, the utilisation rates were 70% and 73% for fiscal year 19 and fiscal year 20, respectively. When comparing costs between individuals who used the pathways and those who did not, a reduction in drug costs was observed with the implementation of pathways. This decrease was more pronounced when clinicians adhered to the pathway recommendations. Specifically, per-person per-month drug costs were reduced by 8% in year one (fiscal year nineteen) and by 4% in year two (fiscal year twenty) when pathways were utilised (5).

Earlier research has demonstrated the efficacy of clinical pathways as an instrument in various clinical settings, including emergencies, surgeries, and typical clinical cases. It encompasses the entire process from diagnosis to clinical audit and is managed by health professionals as they provide care. It is imperative that healthcare workers collaborate vigorously when implementing a clinical care pathway. Healthcare professionals must emphasise on the development and outcome of care and eliminate un-necessary or in-effective treatments (6).

Local variations, poor service integration, and gaps in referral systems further hinder the continuity of quality care. The absence of proper equipment (digital weighing scales and infant meters) and the varying skill levels of community health workers are examples of practical limitations. Additionally, there is still a lack of information and initiatives in India regarding the best methods to prevent, identify, and treat severe malnutrition in infants younger than six months of age. State-specific experiences from Maharashtra, Bihar, and West Bengal regarding the adaptation of the MAMI Care Pathway Package to the Indian setting were shared (7).

Another study published in the Journal of Cureus found that the implementation of evidence-based strategies for managing post-partum has improved the quality of care and reduced the need for blood transfusions (8).

History of Clinical Care Pathways in Obstetric Care

In the 1990s, the focus shifted towards the development of clinical care pathways, which are more detailed and specific than guidelines, and outlines the optimal sequence and timing of interventions in a particular clinical situation. The use of clinical care pathways in obstetric care has been shown to improve patient outcomes, reduce healthcare resource utilisation, and increase adherence to evidence-based practices (5).

There is significant variation in the components of clinical care pathways, and their implementation requires coordination and collabouration among multi-disciplinary teams. Additionally, the ongoing evaluation and refinement of clinical care pathways are necessary to ensure their effectiveness and sustainability. The history of clinical care pathways in obstetric care reflects a continued effort to improve the quality and safety of healthcare for mothers and infants (6).

Scope of Clinical Care Pathways in Obstetrics Care

According to the supported care pathway in Irish maternity services, the clinical care services that were to be provided by a team of midwives were replaced between the community and hospital, thereby supporting women through all stages of their care continuum. The supported clinical care pathways will be available to women based on their risk profile, enabling women to see the most appropriate professional based on their clinical needs. The clinical care pathway was broken down into three main components: antenatal, intrapartum, and postnatal care periods (9).

Inter-professional collabouration is the service provided by a team of different healthcare professionals and is essential to ensure effective clinical treatment. The healthcare team engages in inter-relation and interaction throughout the input, process, and output of patient care. Members actively collaborate in implementing comprehensive nursing care. The procedure involves multi-disciplinary interventions with a focus on predetermined outcomes (6).

Common Complications of Pregnancy

Pregnancy is a complex physiological process that can be associated with various complications. Early discovery and management of these complications are crucial for the health of the mother and fetus. Some of the most common complications of pregnancy are:

Gestational Diabetes Mellitus (GDM): GDM is a type of diabetes that develops during pregnancy. It can cause high blood sugar levels, which can lead to various complications such as macrosomia, preterm birth, and preeclampsia (10).

Hypertension: It is the most common medical problem faced during pregnancy, complicating 2-3% of pregnancies. The employed group on high blood pressure in pregnancy of the national high blood pressure education program recommends classifying hypertensive diseases during pregnancy into four categories: chronic hypertension, pre-eclampsia-eclampsia, pre-eclampsia on top of chronic hypertension, and gestational hypertension. These four conditions need to be addressed (transient hypertension of pregnancy or chronic hypertension identified in the latter half of pregnancy) (11).

Preterm Labour (PTL): PTL is defined as labour that begins before 37 weeks of gestation. It can lead to premature birth and associated complications such as respiratory distress syndrome, intraventricular haemorrhage, and necrotising enterocolitis (12).

Placenta previa: Placenta previa is a disorder where the placenta covers the cervix, leading to vaginal bleeding. It can cause maternal haemorrhage and lead to preterm birth (13).

Anaemia: Anaemia is a condition characterised by low levels of Haemoglobin (Hb) in the blood. It is a common complication of pregnancy and can lead to preterm birth, low birth weight, and maternal mortality (14).

Evidence of Clinical Care Pathways in Management of Anaemia during Pregnancy

Anaemia is commonly described as a Hb value less than two Standard Deviations (SD) below the median value for a healthy matched population by age, sex, altitude, smoking status, and pregnancy status. When oxygen-carrying capability or quantity of red blood cells’ is inadequate to meet physiological demands, the condition is known as anaemia. Pregnancy-related anaemia is difficult to define due to factors such as natural plasma expansion, ethnic variation in Hb levels, and the widespread use of iron supplements. According to the Centers for Disease Control, anaemia during pregnancy is defined as Hb levels less than 11 g/dL {haematocrit; (Hct) <33%} during the first and third trimesters and less than 10.5 g/dL (Hct <32%) during the second trimester (CDC).

Anaemia is one of the most common pregnancy disorders that can harm the foetus as well as the mother. Clinical care pathways can help standardise the diagnosis, treatment and aftercare of anaemia during pregnancy. The World Health Organisation (WHO) recommends testing all expecting mothers for anaemia and providing appropriate treatment during their first prenatal care visit. The WHO also recommends using clinical care pathways to ensure the best possible management of anaemia during pregnancy (14). The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) recommends routine screening for anaemia at the first prenatal visit of gestation and a proper clinical care pathway for the diagnosis and management of anaemia during pregnancy (15).

Preventing anaemia during pregnancy requires not only food fortification but also education of women to increase their iron intake and foods that favor the absorption of this mineral, as well as limit their consumption of foods that inhibit iron absorption. The integration of nursing practice in both obstetrics and collective health should be part of this orientation (16).

Evidence of Clinical Care Pathways in Management of Gestational Diabetes Mellitus (GDM)

GDM is a common pregnancy complication characterised by elevated blood sugar levels during pregnancy. According to the International Diabetes Federation, the prevalence of GDM ranges from 5% to 25.5%. The prevalence is dependent on race, ethnicity, age, body composition, and diagnostic criteria. GDM can lead to adverse maternal and foetal outcomes, such as pre-eclampsia, macrosomia, neonatal hypoglycaemia, and an increased risk of developing Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM) later in life (17).

The management of GDM aims to achieve optimal glycaemic control while minimising maternal and foetal complications. The American Diabetes Association (ADA) recommends the use of clinical care pathways or algorithms to guide the care of women with GDM. Clinical care pathways outline the sequence and timing of interventions and the roles and responsibilities of healthcare professionals involved in the care of the patient (18).

Key components of clinical care pathways for GDM:

Screening and diagnosis: Evidence consistently demonstrates that complications in pregnancies complicated by diabetes are associated with the level of hyperglycaemia in a continuous way. There is also good evidence to support early diagnosis and treatment of GDM in order to reduce the risk for the mother and baby. The first step in the management of GDM is early identification through universal screening with a 75-gram Oral Glucose Tolerance Test (OGTT) between 24 and 28 weeks of gestation. Women at high risk of GDM, such as those with a history of GDM, polycystic ovary syndrome, obesity, or a family history of diabetes, should be screened earlier in pregnancy. The diagnosis of GDM is made based on the OGTT results, with threshold values of ≥92 mg/dL for fasting plasma glucose, ≥180 mg/dL for 1-hour plasma glucose, and ≥153 mg/dL for 2-hour plasma glucose (19).

Medical Nutrition Therapy (MNT): Medical Nutrition Therapy (MNT) is a cornerstone of GDM management and involves individualised meal planning and monitoring of carbohydrate intake to achieve glycaemic control. The ADA no longer recommends specific amounts for carbohydrate, fat, or protein intake, but they do suggest that people get their carbs from vegetables, whole grains, fruits, and legumes. It is advised to avoid carbs high in fat, sodium, and sugar. Women with GDM should also be advised to eat frequent, small meals, and avoid sugary drinks and foods with a high glycaemic index (20).

Physical activity: Regular physical activity is recommended for all pregnant women, including those with GDM. The ADA recommends at least 150 minutes per week of moderate-intensity exercise, such as brisk walking, swimming, or cycling. Physical activity can improve insulin sensitivity, glucose uptake, and cardiovascular health, and can reduce the risk of developing GDM-related complications (21).

Pharmacologic therapy: If MNT and physical activity fail to achieve glycaemic control, pharmacologic therapy with insulin or oral hypoglycaemic agents may be necessary. Insulin is the preferred agent for GDM management, as it does not cross the placenta and has a long track record of safety and efficacy (22).

Foetal surveillance: Women with GDM are at increased risk of foetal overgrowth, which can lead to complications such as macrosomia, shoulder dystocia and birth trauma. Foetal surveillance, including ultrasound for foetal growth assessment and non-stress tests for foetal well-being, should be performed at regular intervals to detect and manage these complications (23).

Evidence of Clinical Care Pathways in Management of Pregnancy Induced Hypertension

Pregnancy-induced hypertension is a major contributor to maternal and perinatal morbidity and mortality. In the United States, about 15% of maternal deaths are attributable to hypertension, making it the second leading cause of maternal mortality. The mother’s risk of cardiac failure, heart attack, renal failure, and cerebrovascular accidents is increased by severe hypertension. Additionally, the foetus is at risk of problems such as inadequate oxygen transport from the placenta, growth restriction, premature birth, placental abruption, foetal death, and neonatal death. The management of PIH aims to control blood pressure, prevent complications, and optimise maternal and foetal outcomes. Clinical care pathways or algorithms can help standardise care and improve outcomes for women with PIH (24).

Key Components of Clinical Care Pathways for PIH

Diagnosis: The first step in the management of PIH is to diagnose the condition. This involves measuring blood pressure and checking for proteinuria. Blood pressure should be measured at each prenatal visit, and any significant increase in blood pressure should be evaluated promptly. Pre-eclampsia is defined as the presence of Systolic Blood Pressure (SBP) greater than or equal to 140 mm Hg or a Diastolic Blood Pressure (DBP) greater than or equal to 90 mm Hg, on two occasions at least four hours apart in a previously normotensive patient. In addition to the blood pressure criteria, proteinuria of greater than or equal to 0.3 grams in a 24-hour urine specimen is indicative of pre-eclampsia. Severe proteinuria is defined as five grams or more of protein in a 24-hour urine collection or a 3+ or greater result on urine dipstick testing of two random urine samples collected at least four hours apart (25).

Antenatal care: Women with PIH require close monitoring throughout pregnancy. This includes regular prenatal visits to monitor blood pressure, urine protein, and foetal growth. The frequency of prenatal visits may increase as the pregnancy progresses, depending on the severity of the condition (26).

Blood pressure control: The goal of blood pressure management in PIH is to reduce the risk of complications while avoiding undue harm to the mother or foetus. Non-pharmacological interventions such as rest, reduction of salt intake, and increased fluid intake may be recommended for women with mild PIH. Antihypertensive medication may be required for women with severe PIH, to lower blood pressure to safe levels (27).

Foetal surveillance: Women with PIH are at increased risk of foetal growth restriction and other complications. Foetal surveillance, including ultrasound for foetal growth assessment and Doppler assessment of umbilical artery blood flow, should be performed at regular intervals to detect and manage these complications (28).

Delivery: The timing and mode of delivery depend on the severity of PIH, gestational age, and foetal well-being. Women with severe PIH may require delivery before term, while those with mild to moderate PIH may be managed expectantly until term. Vaginal delivery is usually preferred, but Caesarean delivery may be necessary in some cases (29).

There is limited evidence on the effectiveness of clinical care pathways in the management of PIH. However, some studies have shown that the use of standardised protocols or algorithms can improve adherence to evidence-based guidelines and reduce the incidence of complications. Therefore, clinical care pathways may be a useful tool in the management of PIH (29),(30).

Evidence of Clinical Care Pathways in Management of Pre-term Labour

PTL is defined as the onset of regular uterine contractions accompanied by cervical change before 37 weeks of gestation (31).

Preterm birth is currently the leading issue of neonatal morbidity and mortality in developed countries. The incidence is increasing. In 2010, 11.1% of all live births were delivered preterm, with 14.9 million premature deliveries worldwide. The rate of preterm birth varies widely between countries ranging from 5 to 9% of births in Europe, 12% in the USA, and upto 18% in Malawi. Defined as delivery before 37 weeks gestation, preterm birth can be divided into three categories: spontaneous PTL with intact progress intact membranes (50%); preterm premature rupture of membranes (30%); and iatrogenic preterm delivery for maternal in which labour is either induced or delivery is by prelabour caesarean (20%). The first two categories are often collectively referred to as spontaneous preterm birth and their aetiology may be very similar (32). A recent worldwide systematic analysis of preterm birth rates in 2010 concluded that there was no decrease in rates of preterm birth in countries studied from 1990 to 2010, with rates either being increased or stable (33).

In a study done in December 2010, a total of 215 women who had undergone one cesarean section in total were observed along a typical care pathway. There was a median parity of 1.0. The remaining demographic characteristics were similar. Only 44.6% of mothers who qualified chose to undergo a scar test. After a Caesarean section, the vaginal delivery achievement rate was 49.4%, and the longest active phase of labour (31.8%) was the most frequent cause of failure. Following a caesarean section, maternal morbidity was similar in the groups of vaginal births that succeeded and those who failed. After a caesarean section, the incidence of bleeding was 2.3% and 4.4% for the successful and unsuccessful vaginal birth groups, respectively. After a Caesarean section, the percentage of infants with acidotic arterial pH (<7.10) was 3.1% in the successful group and 22.2% in the unsuccessful group. Perinatal death was not reported. Overall, the evidence suggests that clinical care pathways can be effective in reducing the rate of preterm birth and increasing the use of antenatal corticosteroids for women with PTL. However, more research is needed to determine the impact of clinical care pathways on neonatal outcomes and maternal morbidity (34).

Limitation(s) of Clinical Care Pathways in Obstetrics Care

Some of the limitations of clinical care pathways in obstetric care are:

involvement- To ensure that the goals are met at each phase, from pathway adoption to implementation and maintenance, all pertinent workers must be involved (33).

Lack of awareness- This relates to the knowledge, attitudes, and practices of clinicians. Clinicians’ attitudes towards clinical pathways to standardise healthcare may be disputed or hostile (33).

Type of provider- Clinical pathway providers should be involved in the care process towards achieving successful implementation of care pathways (33).

Use of language- In clinical pathways, multiple languages is used, such as in the form of diagrams, text documents, and tables. This makes it easy for service providers to understand patient care (33).

Complexities of labour and delivery- Labour and delivery is a complex and unpredictable process, and clinical care pathways may not account for all possible variations in labour progression or foetal well-being (35),(36).

Resistance to change- Clinical care pathways may represent a significant change in clinical practice, which may be met with resistance from healthcare providers who are accustomed to their traditional practices (36),(37).

Difficulty in measuring outcomes- It may be difficult to attribute improvements in patient outcomes solely to the use of clinical care pathways, as other factors may also contribute to improvements (37),(38).

Resource limitations- Clinical care pathways may require additional resources, such as staff time or equipment, which may not be available in all healthcare settings (39).

Standardisation- Clinical care pathways are designed to provide a standardised approach to care. However, the standardisation can sometimes lead to inflexibility in the approach, which can be challenging when dealing with complex cases that may require individualised care plans (39),(40).

Implementation- Implementing clinical care pathways in obstetric care can be challenging due to the need for multi-disciplinary collaboration, the availability of resources, and the potential for resistance to change among healthcare providers (41).

Adherence- Adherence to clinical care pathways can be difficult to achieve, particularly when there are competing priorities, time pressures, and patient-specific factors that need to be taken into account (42).

Evaluation- Clinical care pathways need to be evaluated regularly to ensure that they are effective, efficient, and patient-centered. However, the evaluation process can be time-consuming and resource-intensive (41),(42).

Clinical care pathways can provide a useful framework for standardising care and improving patient outcomes. Healthcare providers must carefully evaluate the applicability of clinical care pathways to their patient populations, and ongoing evaluation and refinement of the pathways may be necessary to ensure their effectiveness and sustainability (40),(43).
Conclusion
In conclusion, the use of clinical care pathways in the management of common complications of pregnancy has been shown to improve the quality of care and patient outcomes. These pathways provide a standardised approach to the diagnosis, treatment, and follow-up of these conditions, reducing the variability of care and ensuring that patients receive the most appropriate interventions. The evidence suggests that the implementation of clinical care pathways can lead to improved maternal and foetal outcomes, including a reduction in the incidence of preterm birth, neonatal morbidity, and maternal complications. However, further research is needed to determine the optimal design and implementation of clinical care pathways for these conditions, including the use of digital technologies and the integration of patient preferences and values. The implementation of clinical care pathways represents a promising strategy for improving the quality of care and outcomes for women with common complications of pregnancy.
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DOI and Others
DOI: 10.7860/JCDR/2024/66727.19526

Date of Submission: Jul 26, 2023
Date of Peer Review: Oct 23, 2023
Date of Acceptance: Apr 22, 2024
Date of Publishing: Jun 01, 2024

AUTHOR DECLARATION:
• Financial or Other Competing Interests: None
• Was informed consent obtained from the subjects involved in the study? NA
• For any images presented appropriate consent has been obtained from the subjects. NA

PLAGIARISM CHECKING METHODS:
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• iThenticate Software: Apr 20, 2024 (17%)

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