Measuring elderly care through the use of a nursing conceptual model and the international classification for nursing practice(®).

INTRODUCTION: Nursing models and terminologies can contribute to research the nature of nursing care. AIM: The aim of this study was to describe nursing diagnoses in acute- and long-term elderly care. METHODS: A point prevalence survey was conducted on 240 patients. The International Classification for Nursing Practice was used to describe nursing diagnoses, and a conceptual model was used to categorize them in nursing needs. RESULTS: A total of 2,673 diagnoses were detected. Mean was higher in nursing home than in hospital (t test =-3.688; p = .0003). Prevalent diagnoses were significantly different. DISCUSSION: High complexity, with different issues for nurses, was observed both in acute- and in long-term settings. CONCLUSION: The results could help to comprehend the nature of older persons needs and could contribute to the development of an International Classification for Nursing Practice catalogue for elderly care.