Using ICNP® to describe nursing phenomena of older persons discharged from hospital: a point prevalence survey

Background Measuring nursing practice represent an actual issue for nurses to make visible their unique contribution to health. The use of standardized terminologies facilitates nurses in describing nursing phenomena, outcomes and interventions (Werley, Lang, 1988). The International Classification for Nursing Practice has been developed as a unified language to describe nursing in different cultural and clinical settings (ICNP; ICN, 2009). Although elderly care represents a challenge for health professionals, a lack of description of older persons nursing phenomena has been found in the literature. Aims The aim of this study was to describe nursing phenomena of older persons discharged from hospital. Methods A point prevalence survey was conducted involving a convenience sample of 258 older patients (age ≥ 65) discharged from a large Italian hospital. Demographic, epidemiological and nursing clinical data were collected from documentation and a patient assessment was performed to confirm data. The ICNP was used to describe nursing phenomena and an Italian conceptual model to categorize them in nursing needs (MPI; Cantarelli, 2003). Data collection ended in October 2011. Data were analyzed both considering the whole sample and grouping patients by destination (ex: home, nursing home). Results A total of 5938 nursing phenomena were detected (mean per patient = 23,02; IC 95% = 21,83 to 24,20; SD = 9,65). Prevalent ones concerned hygiene, movement, medication adherence and clinical risks like risk for fall, risk for bleeding or risk for malnutrition. Discussion Older persons are discharged from hospital with a considerable need for nursing care. Results suggest high level of complexity also for patients going home just with a family or a non-professional support. Conclusion Results could be considered by academics to explain older persons’ nursing needs and by health managers to comprehend the demand for elderly nursing care in family and community settings. Furthermore, results could contribute to the development of an international ICNP Catalogue for elderly care.