A Survey Study of Nursing Diagnosis Use in Clinical Practice

Choi, Young Hee; Rhee, Hyang Yun; Kim, Hea Sook; Kim, So Sun; Park, Kwang Ok

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to identify the degree to which nursing diagnoses accepted by NANDA are used and to identify problems in application of nursing diagnoses in clinical practice. With the expanding potential fur computerization of nursing diagnosis, the survey also included data on the present status of hospital computerization and willingness to use computerized nursing diagnoses. The data collection was done from July 1 to August 3, 1996 using structured questionnaires. The questionnaires were mailed to 1,126 head nurses working in 44 hospitals with on occupacy of over 500 beds located in Korea, of these, 883 were returned from 40 hospitals. Among the 883 questionnaires, 867 were used for the analysis. The results of the analysis are as follows 1. Among 109 nursing diagnoses, pain, constipation, diarrhea, hyperthermia, high risk for infection, sleep pattern disturbance, and anxiety, chronic pain, altered urinary elimination, and altered nutrition: less than body requirements were the ten most frequently used diagnoses. 2. The primary problem in the use of nursing diagnoses was lack of time and personnel. Others were lack of knowledge and motivation, absence of protocols and absence of the appropriate methods to apply nursing diagnoses. 3. Among the 40 hospitals, 27 hospitals used a computerized system and expressed willingness to utilize the computerized system of nursing diagnoses that is planned for the future.