Long term care facilities, especially nursing homes, require precise and effective nursing diagnoses to ensure the highest quality of resident care. Utilizing standardized nursing languages like NANDA-I, Nursing Interventions Classification (NIC), and Nursing Outcomes Classification (NOC) – often referred to as NNN linkages – is critical for achieving this precision. A recent study conducted in Korean nursing homes explored the practical application of these NNN linkages, aiming to understand how registered nurses utilize them in real-world settings to benefit residents.
This retrospective descriptive study was carried out across 51 nursing homes in Korea, representing a significant portion of the facilities employing registered nurses. Data collection spanned from June to July 2022 and leveraged a specifically developed smartphone application designed for nursing home registered nurses. This application facilitated the collection of data on NANDA-I diagnoses, NIC interventions, and NOC outcomes applied to residents. Nurses were asked to randomly select up to 10 residents and, based on the previous 7 days, identify NANDA-I diagnoses along with associated risk and related factors. Subsequently, they documented all implemented interventions from a list of 82 NIC interventions and evaluated resident outcomes using 79 selected NOC outcomes.
The study successfully identified frequently employed NANDA-I diagnoses, NIC, and NOC classifications in the context of Korean nursing home residents. Crucially, it developed the top five NOC linkages that are instrumental in building effective care plans tailored to this specific population. These findings provide valuable insights into the most common nursing diagnoses and the corresponding interventions and outcomes prioritized in Korean long-term care settings.
The conclusion of the study emphasizes the growing need for robust, evidence-based practices within nursing homes. The adoption of NNN linkages, facilitated by technology, represents a significant step towards enhancing the continuity and quality of care. By utilizing a uniform language, healthcare professionals can improve patient outcomes and streamline nursing workflows.
The implications for nursing practice are substantial. The study strongly advocates for the integration of NNN linkages into the coding systems of electronic health records (EHRs) or electronic medical records (EMRs) within Korean long-term care facilities. This integration would standardize nursing documentation, improve communication among healthcare providers, and ultimately contribute to more effective and resident-centered care in long-term care settings.
