RESUMO
OBJECTIVE: To investigate the application of nursing-sensitive quality indicators in evaluating nursing efficacy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study involved the 97 nursing units of four general hospitals, where quality-improvement projects were implemented. The efficacy of the projects was measured through the use of nursing-sensitive quality indicators followed by a Plan-Do-Study-Act cycle. Nursing efficacy was observed before and after the implementation. RESULTS: Indicators revealed that patient satisfaction with basic nursing care, professional skills, and service attitude increased significantly after implementation of the quality-improvement projects (p<0.05). The incidence of nursing adverse events, including deficient care and accidents, also decreased significantly (p<0.01). However, patient satisfaction with the medical environment did not increase. CONCLUSIONS: Nursing-sensitive quality indicators are a valid and reliable way to determine if nursing quality-improvement projects are efficacious. They also promote continual improvement in nursing quality and provide a scientific evidence for setting implementation plan and detecting the implementation efficacy in nursing care, and possess certain promoting effects on the continual improvement of nursing quality.
