Nursing outcomes classification. An essential element in data sets for nursing and health care effectiveness

The Nursing Outcomes Classification (NOC) is a comprehensive classification of patient outcomes responsive to nursing interventions. The NOC is complementary to taxonomies of the North American Nursing Diagnosis Association and the Nursing Interventions Classification. The NOC provides the language for the evaluation step of the nursing process and the content for the outcomes element in the Nursing Minimum Data Set (NMDS). The patient information system Patient Care Data Set (PCDS) is a new, computerized health care information system introduced by the Blue Chip Company and the faculty at Wright State University Miami Valley College of Nursing and Health. An important innovation for evaluation of health care delivery and effectiveness, the PCDS is a record of the patient's health/medical history. Documentation and evaluation of health care must include nursing data along with data from all health care disciplines in minimum data sets. Standardized nursing languages are necessary for inclusion of nursing data. The NOC is a comprehensive classification of patient outcomes that are responsive to nursing interventions. It provides a standardized language for the outcomes element of the NMDS, and contains outcomes that can be shared by all health care disciplines. The PCDS is an innovative minimum data set and patient health record system that is consistent with the NMDS. The NOC is a perfect fit for the PCDS.