Implementing the Omaha classification system in a public health agency

Area of Science:

• Nursing
• Health Informatics
• Public Health

Background:

• Systematized nursing diagnosis using standardized, coded terminology is an evolving field.
• The Waukesha Health Department has actively participated in this evolutionary process.
• A need for a more systematic, community-tested taxonomy was identified for agency use.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the adoption and use of a standardized nursing diagnosis system within a public health department.
• To compare the progress of the Outcomes Classification System (OCS) with other emerging systems like NANDA.
• To contribute practical experience to the development of nursing diagnosis taxonomies.

Main Methods:

• Implementation of the Outcomes Classification System (OCS) for nursing diagnoses.
• Ongoing use and evaluation of the OCS in a practical public health setting.
• Observational comparison of OCS evolution alongside other nursing diagnosis systems.

Main Results:

• The OCS was selected and implemented as the chosen systematic taxonomy.
• The OCS is observed to be evolving in parallel with other systems, such as NANDA.
• Practical application of the OCS provides a foundation of trial and experience.

Conclusions:

• The use of the OCS in practice settings supports the evolutionary process of nursing diagnosis standardization.
• Continued trial and experience with systems like OCS are crucial for future development.
• The field anticipates the emergence of a universally accepted nursing diagnosis system.