The reliability and validity of two health status measures for evaluating outcomes of home care nursing.

The reliability, validity, and sensitivity of the Medical Outcome Study Short Form (SF-36) and the Quality of Life Profile: Senior Version (QOLPSV) for measuring outcomes of home care nursing were evaluated. Data were collected from 50 clients receiving home care nursing services. Twenty-two registered nurses and six registered practical nurses collected client and nursing data on each home visit. Client baseline and outcome measures were collected by two independent evaluators at admission and discharge from the home care service. Internal consistency reliability ranged from.76 to.94 for the eight subscales of the SF-36. Internal consistency reliability ranged from.47 to.82 for the nine subscales of the QOLPSV. The subscales of both instruments had minimal problems with missing responses. The SF-36 was found to be more sensitive than the QOLPSV to change over time. In addition, the subscales of the SF-36 were found to be more sensitive than the subscales of the QOLPSV to several of the nursing variables, such as intensity of the client's nursing condition and skill mix.

Implementing Orem's self-care deficit theory. Adopting a conceptual framework of nursing. Part II.

This is the second of a two-part article describing the implementation of Dorothea Orem's Self-Care Deficit theory of nursing by the Nursing Department at Toronto General Hospital. Part II focuses on the implementation process and the results observed to this point in time. Implementing theory-based practice documents the selection of five pilot units and activities that were carried out by various project committees. Observations made by staff nurses and managers of the pilot units are conveyed. Benefits to nurses, patients, managers and the units are described along with some of the difficulties encountered along the way. Recommendations and future plans are identified.