Development and evaluation of an evidence-based nursing protocol for fever management in adult patients

Purpose: This study was designed to develop, to implement and evaluate a fever management nursing protocol for adult patients. Methods: This study was conducted through seven steps following both the guideline development procedures of the Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network and the Model of the Asan Medical Center Evidence-Based Practice, as follows: 1) identifying the clinical needs and composition of the protocol development group; 2) identifying and evaluating the evidence; 3) assessing the level of evidence and grading recommendations; 4) forming a protocol; 5) evaluating the protocol using an expert group validity test and identifying barriers to its implementation; 6) protocol development; and 7) evaluation of practical improvement measures following implementation of the protocol. Results: The evidence-based protocol for fever management in adult patients was completed and includes five domains and 15 items. The protocol had good content validity (CVI=.90) and nursing practice could be improved after implementation of the protocol. Conclusion: This nursing protocol can be used as a guide for nursing in febrile adult patients. We recommend that further guidelines be updated in an interdisciplinary manner in order to foster local adaptation of the best clinical practices.