Background: Most administrative databases do not contain good information about nursing-sensitive outcomes.
Objectives: To determine (a) the reliability of the instruments measuring nursing-sensitive outcomes, (b) whether the outcome measures are sensitive to changes in patients' health, and (c) whether the outcome measures are associated with nursing interventions.
Methods: The sample consisted of 890 patients from acute care hospitals and long-term-care facilities. A repeated measures design was used. Functional status was assessed on admission and discharge using Minimum Data Set 2.0 items. Symptom (pain, nausea, dyspnea, fatigue) frequency and severity were assessed with 4-point and 11-point numeric scales, respectively. Therapeutic self-care was assessed on discharge from acute care. Nursing interventions were assessed by documentation review.
Results: The outcome measures demonstrated very good interrater reliability with weighted Kappa ranging from .64 to .93. The internal consistency reliability was high for functional status and therapeutic self-care. The outcome tools were sensitive to change in patient condition. Select nursing interventions were related to functional status, therapeutic self-care, and symptom outcomes.
Discussion: The findings suggest that nurses are able to collect data on nursing-sensitive patient outcomes in a reliable and valid way.