Nursing information in electronic patient records: criteria established in a Delphi study

Nursing lacks an adequate tool to assist in determining the essential components of an information policy in health care institutions, and to outline the nursing component of the electronic patient record. The objective of this study was to determine the criteria to which a nursing information system, and its developmental process, should comply with, when such system is part of an electronic patient record system. Using the Delphi methodology, criteria for nursing information systems were determined by an international panel of 36 experts in three succeeding rounds. Most criteria gained consensus and are very useful for use in practice for those involved in nursing system development. Eventually the list of criteria will be included in a nursing information reference model. Nursing will benefit from the application of the reference instrument and criteria to express their information needs and to develop adequate information technology.