Outcomes: are they a good thing?

One of the current buzzwords for health care these days is outcomes. Everyone, including payers, is attempting to evaluate the quality of care provided by the outcomes achieved. Outcomes can help the caregiver and the client determine if the appropriate care is being provided; identify if changes need to be made in the care plan; develop a mechanism to discuss effects of care that are understood by all health providers; demonstrate to the client the health care they have received, in a fashion that makes sense to them; and document nursing interventions that are most effective. Outcomes can be the basis for quality improvement and can assist in discharge planning. They also help in evaluating the organization's overall performance. As Martha Stewart would say, "It's a good thing."