Using the Delphi method to establish nursing-sensitive quality indicators for ICU nursing in China

Area of Science:

• Healthcare Quality
• Nursing Research
• Critical Care Medicine

Background:

• Nursing quality indicators are crucial for evaluating patient care within intensive care units (ICUs).
• Developing evidence-based indicators specific to the Chinese healthcare context is essential for targeted quality improvement.
• Existing indicators may not fully capture the nuances of nursing practice in Chinese ICUs.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a consensus-based set of evidence-based nursing quality indicators for intensive care units (ICUs) in China.
• To establish a framework for measuring and improving the quality of nursing care in Chinese ICUs.
• To provide a foundation for data collection and clinical application in ICU nursing.

Main Methods:

• A systematic literature search identified 38 potential nursing quality indicators from 50 relevant articles.
• The Delphi method was employed with expert panels to refine and achieve consensus on these indicators.
• Indicators were categorized into structure, process, and outcome dimensions.

Main Results:

• A final set of 20 evidence-based nursing quality indicators for Chinese ICUs was developed.
• High agreement was achieved among experts regarding the selected indicators.
• The indicators are designed for ease of data collection and clinical application.

Conclusions:

• The developed indicators provide a robust framework for assessing and enhancing ICU nursing quality in China.
• These evidence-based indicators support standardized data collection and facilitate quality improvement initiatives.
• The consensus-driven approach ensures the relevance and applicability of the indicators within the Chinese healthcare system.