Patient outcomes in the field of nursing: A concept analysis

Purpose: This paper reports an analysis of the concept of patient outcomes. Methods: The Walker and Avant concept analysis approach was applied. Results: The attributes of patient outcomes include (1) patient functional status (maintained or improved), (2) patient safety (protected or unharmed), and...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Ying Liu, Kay Coalson Avant, Yupin Aungsuroch, Xin-Yu Zhang, Ping Jiang
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Elsevier 2014-03-01
Series:International Journal of Nursing Sciences
Subjects:
Online Access:http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2352013214000088
Description
Summary:Purpose: This paper reports an analysis of the concept of patient outcomes. Methods: The Walker and Avant concept analysis approach was applied. Results: The attributes of patient outcomes include (1) patient functional status (maintained or improved), (2) patient safety (protected or unharmed), and (3) patient satisfaction (patient reporting of comfort and contentment). These attributes are influenced by the antecedents of individual patient characteristics and health problems, the structure of healthcare organizations and received health interventions. Additionally, patient outcomes do significantly impact the quality of nursing care, the cost of effective care and healthcare policy making formulation. Conclusion: Providing good nursing care to all patients is a central goal of nursing. Patient outcomes in nursing are primarily about the results for the patient receiving nursing care. This analysis provides nurses with a new perspective by helping them to understand all the components within the concept of patient outcomes.
ISSN:2352-0132