Date of Award
Fall 1993
Document Type
Thesis - Restricted
Degree Name
Master of Science (MS)
Department
Nursing
First Advisor
Wake, Madeline
Second Advisor
Weis, Darlene
Third Advisor
Kovach, Christine R.
Abstract
A descriptive study was completed to identify the past, current and projected nursing care planning, documentation, and automated information systems used in u.s. hospitals. Differences in the status of these elements were identified based on urban and rural location. Relationships between the types of nursing documentation and care planning systems utilized were also identified. A four page questionnaire, based on a tool used by Wake (1990), was sent to nurse executives in 800 randomly selected American Hospital Association member hospitals to assess nursing care delivery elements in 1989, 1992, and projections for 1995. Data from the completed questionnaires was reported in aggregate form and analyzed with descriptive statistics including Chi-square and Spearman correlation coefficients. Two hundred and fifty-seven surveys were returned representing a 32% return rate. The results showed a predominant use of individually created care plans in 1989, with a trend towards individualized. standardized care plans projected for 1995. The predominant nursing documentation systems used in 1989 were narrative type, with a trend towards use of Charting by Exception systems projected for 1995. The results were similar regardless of hospital location except for a higher projected use of Charting by Exception documentation systems among urban hospitals in 1995. The use of computers in the development of nursing care plans was projected to be used by 29.6% of respondents in 1995 while 28.0% planned on using computers for completion of nursing documentation in 1995. Small statistically significant relationships were noted between the variable of documentation systems and care planning systems at the .05 level of significance in 1989 and 1992. No relationship was noted, however, in the 1995 projections. No statistically significant relationships were noted at the .05 level of significance between the variables of computer use for completing nursing documentation and documentation system used as well as between computer use for care planning and care planning system used. Recommendations for nurse administrators include considering the implementation of standards based nursing care planning systems as this would also support the noted trend towards increased use of Charting by Exception documentation systems.
Recommended Citation
LeRoy, Randal T., "Nursing Care Plan and Documentation Systems Utilized in United States Hospitals" (1993). Master's Theses (1922-2009) Access restricted to Marquette Campus. 3454.
https://epublications.marquette.edu/theses/3454