Lessons Learned from the Use of Chloroquine and Hydroxychloroquine During the COVID-۱۹ Pandemic: Implications for Evidence-Based Nursing Practice and Future Pandemic Preparedness

Background: During the COVID-۱۹ pandemic, various therapeutic agents, including hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) and chloroquine (CQ), were used to manage infected patients. Given the widespread use of these medications despite limited evidence, this study aimed to assess the efficacy of HCQ and CQ in the treatment of patients with COVID-۱۹ and to highlight lessons relevant to evidence-based nursing practice. Methods: A literature search was conducted in PubMed, Embase, and Scopus databases to identify systematic reviews and meta-analyses evaluating the effectiveness of HCQ and CQ in COVID-۱۹ treatment. The search strategy included the keywords _x۰۰۰۰_۲۰۱۹COVID-۱۹_x۰۰۰۰_۲۰۱۹ OR _x۰۰۰۰_۲۰۱۹SARS-CoV-۲_x۰۰۰۰_۲۰۱۹ AND _x۰۰۰۰_۲۰۱۹Hydroxychloroquine_x۰۰۰۰_۲۰۱۹ OR _x۰۰۰۰_۲۰۱۹Chloroquine_x۰۰۰۰_۲۰۱۹ AND _x۰۰۰۰_۲۰۱۹Systematic Review_x۰۰۰۰_۲۰۱۹ OR _x۰۰۰۰_۲۰۱۹Meta-analysis_x۰۰۰۰_۲۰۱۹. Results: A total of ۲۱ systematic review studies were included. Among them, ۲۸.۵% reported positive effects of HCQ and CQ, while ۲۸.۵% suggested their use only under specific conditions. In contrast, ۳۳.۵% of the studies recommended against their use, and ۹.۵% reported insufficient evidence to support either use or non-use. Overall, the majority of reviews failed to demonstrate a significant reduction in mortality among patients receiving HCQ or CQ. Conclusion: The findings indicate that hydroxychloroquine and chloroquine did not provide consistent clinical benefits in reducing mortality among patients with COVID-۱۹. This experience highlights the importance of evidence-based decision-making during public health emergencies. For nursing professionals, adherence to scientifically validated treatment protocols, critical appraisal of emerging evidence, and continuous monitoring of patient outcomes are essential for ensuring patient safety and improving the quality of care during future pandemics. The premature adoption of inadequately supported therapies may delay the identification and implementation of effective treatments.

کلیدواژه ها:

COVID-۱۹ ، Hydroxychloroquine ، Chloroquine ، Evidence-Based Nursing ، Patient Safety ، Pandemic Preparedness