[Nursing outcomes: instruments for visualizing the effectiveness of nursing care]. / Gli outcomes del nursing: strumenti per rendere visibile l'efficacia dell'assistenza infermieristica.

ABSTRACT

Literature reports several definitions of outcomes sensitive to nursing care. Van Der Bruggen and Groen defined nursing outcomes as observable and measurable aspects in individuals, groups and population that should be objective for clinicians and researchers and subjective for patients and families. Johnson and Maas defined nursing outcomes as variable behaviors or perceptions of family or caregiver after the caring intervention. According to the International Classification for Nursing Practice (ICNP), nursing outcomes are the status of a nursing diagnosis after the intervention. In the IowaOutcome Project, where Nursing Outcomes Classification (NOC) system has been elaborated, nursing outcome is a measurable condition, behavior or perception of the person or family conceptualized as sensitive variable to nursing care. Outcomes of NOC system are focused on individuals, families and community and refers to status, behavior or perceptions. Elements to be considered in nursing outcome definition are four specific aspects of nursing care, the illness, general aspects of care, patient typology. It is important to identify which system for nursing evaluation outcomes are more suitable for Italy, where the field of action of nurses has faded edge with functions that mix and confuse with other professionals. Studies on the application of NOC taxonomy in Italy could be a starting point for defining and adapting an outcome evaluation system that will allow the objective visibility that nursing care gives to the global improvement of the cared person.