[Computerization and nursing: in search of an ideal!]

The computerized systems that are currently available are frequently incompatible with the specific information needs of nursing practice (Grassert, 1990). It is not currently possible to analyze the computerization requirements of nursing practice, since we do not know towards what ideal situation the process of computerizing nursing should be evolving. This makes it impossible to measure the gap between the status quo and the ideal situation. This methodological study described the desired situation by identifying 43 criteria for ideal management procedures and the handling of data needed in nursing practice. Criteria were validated using the DELPHI technique on a non-probablist sampling of 22 nurses who had developed some expertise in computerization in nursing. The study paves the way for conducting a needs assessment, then measuring the capacity of current systems to meet specific needs in terms of management and handling of nursing data.