Writing and using standards of nursing care

Area of Science:

• Nursing
• Healthcare Management
• Quality Improvement

Background:

• Nursing standards development is a key activity for many nurses in the UK.
• This paper presents a case study of nursing standard setting within a specific healthcare unit.

Purpose of the Study:

• To outline the background and process of nursing standards development.
• To share experiences from a case study of standard setting in a UK Care of the Elderly Unit.

Main Methods:

• A case study approach was employed within a Care of the Elderly Unit.
• Involved staff at all levels in the standard-setting process.
• Utilized a variety of tools developed over eight years to test standard achievement.

Main Results:

• The standard-setting process spanned eight years, with intensified efforts in the final year.
• A dedicated team, including clinical specialists and a senior nurse manager, was involved.
• Tools were created to evaluate the achievement of established nursing standards.

Conclusions:

• The case study provides insights into the practicalities of nursing standard setting.
• The development and application of assessment tools are crucial for quality assurance in nursing.