The nursing quality indicator framework tool

Abstract

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to develop a nursing quality indicator (NQI) framework and provide a comprehensive reporting mechanism for nursing care. Design/methodology/approach Mixed method, including patient records audit, patient experience questionnaire, nurse self-report questionnaire and collecting ward-level information. The sample was 53 patients and 22 nurses. Findings Outputs from the NQI framework domains offer a more comprehensive understanding of nursing quality compared to when domains are analysed separately. The NQI framework also provides a more inclusive mechanism for assuring nursing care. Research limitations/implications Sample size was limited to 53 English-speaking patients who consented to participating in the study. Originality/value One design strength was the ability to describe individual patient care across the four domains and subsequently show relationships between nursing knowledge, nursing interventions and patient outcomes/experiences. Additionally, corroborated information from three sources (documentation review, patient and nurse responses) strengthened the conclusion that the NQI framework could provide more comprehensive assurances on nursing quality and identify care improvements.