Diabetes mellitus type 2 (T2DM) management is a multifaceted challenge that necessitates comprehensive care strategies. Nursing care plans are integral to this process, providing a structured framework for addressing patient needs and optimizing health outcomes. The implementation of standardized nursing care plan languages, such as the North American Nursing Diagnosis Association (NANDA) and Nursing Interventions Classification (NIC), offers a promising avenue for enhancing the efficiency and effectiveness of diabetes care. However, the tangible impact of these standardized approaches on patient health metrics has remained an area of ongoing investigation.
A recent study delved into the effectiveness of Standardized Nursing Care Plan (SNCP) implementation, grounded in NANDA and NIC taxonomies, on improving metabolic control, weight management, and blood pressure regulation in individuals with T2DM. This prospective follow-up study, conducted over two years across 31 primary health care centers in Spain, involved a substantial cohort of 24,124 T2DM outpatients. Data was meticulously gathered from Computerized Clinical Records, with SNCPs identified through the utilization of NANDA and NIC classifications.
The study compared outcomes between a Usual Nursing Care (UNC) group and a SNCP group. Intriguingly, at the two-year mark, the SNCP group demonstrated improvements across several key health parameters, with the exception of LDL cholesterol and diastolic blood pressure. After adjusting for baseline values and variables exhibiting statistically significant differences between the groups at the outset, the analysis revealed a reduction in most parameters, notably a statistically significant decrease in diastolic blood pressure. However, it’s important to note that the clinically relevance of this adjusted diastolic blood pressure reduction was considered minimal.
Despite the modest impact on diastolic blood pressure, the SNCP group exhibited greater differences in control values for diastolic blood pressure, HbA1c, LDL-cholesterol, and Body Mass Index. Of these, only the improvement in HbA1c levels reached statistical significance. A noteworthy finding was the higher proportion of patients with elevated baseline HbA1c levels (≥7%) who successfully achieved a reduction to below this threshold in the SNCP group.
These findings suggest that the utilization of SNCPs can be particularly beneficial in achieving glycemic control targets, especially in T2DM patients who present with poorly controlled blood sugar levels, indicated by an HbA1c of 7% or higher. While the study also indicated a slight improvement in diastolic blood pressure within the SNCP group compared to the UNC group, the primary strength of SNCP implementation appears to lie in its positive influence on glycemic management. This underscores the value of standardized nursing languages in structuring and delivering effective care plans that contribute to improved outcomes for individuals managing diabetes.
Note: Image URL is used for illustrative purposes and should be replaced with an actual image URL if one is to be included in the final article.
