title: Outcomes research: making a difference in practice.
abstract: The purpose of this pilot study was to determine whether a significant difference in outcome ratings exists from admission to discharge for selected populations. Two acute care sites that have standardized nursing languages in their computerized clinical documentation systems participated. These data are an important start in using patient outcomes to determine the effect of nursing interventions. These data clearly suggest that nursing care did make a difference in patient outcomes.
authors.affiliation: St. Joseph's-Mayo Health System, 1025 Marsh Street, P.O. Box 8673, Mankato, MN 56001-4700, USA.
authors.forename: Cindy A
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Scherb
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D019644:Arthroplasty, Replacement, Hip / Q000451:nursing; D019645:Arthroplasty, Replacement, Knee / Q000451:nursing; D006333:Heart Failure / Q000451:nursing; D006801:Humans; D016347:Medical Records Systems, Computerized; D008875:Middle Aged; D009738:Nursing Service, Hospital / Q000592:standards*; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care; D010347:Patient Care Planning; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011014:Pneumonia / Q000451:nursing