Nursing Outcomes Classification

System to classify outcomes influenced by nursing care

Nursing Outcomes Classification (NOC) is a standardized classification system that defines and measures patient outcomes that are directly influenced by nursing interventions. It is a key component of the nursing process and serves as a tool to evaluate the effectiveness of nursing care in clinical settings. The NOC provides a comprehensive list of patient outcomes that are sensitive to nursing actions. Each outcome is standardized with:

• A unique label
• A clear definition
• A set of measurable indicators
• A 5-point Likert scale to evaluate patient progress

Currently, the NOC includes over 330 defined outcomes. These outcomes are applicable to individual patients, families, or communities and span physical, psychological, social, and spiritual domains of health. The NOC is recognized by the American Nurses Association (ANA) and has been integrated into major healthcare information systems. It is included in the:

• Unified Medical Language System (UMLS)
• Health Level Seven International (HL7) registered terminologies

Purpose

The primary purpose of the Nursing Outcomes Classification is to:

• Provide a framework for identifying nursing-sensitive outcomes
• Evaluate the effectiveness of nursing interventions
• Facilitate evidence-based practice in nursing
• Improve patient care quality and safety
• Support clinical decision support systems and electronic health records

Nursing-sensitive outcomes

Nursing-sensitive outcomes are defined as an individual's, family's, or community's state, behavior, or perception that changes in response to nursing care and is measured along a continuum. These outcomes are uniquely influenced by nursing interventions and can be used to justify the impact of nursing on healthcare delivery. Examples of nursing-sensitive outcomes include:

• Pain level
• Mobility
• Knowledge of health condition
• Self-care ability
• Anxiety reduction
• Respiratory status

Applications

NOC outcomes are used in:

• Advanced nursing practice
• Nursing education
• Clinical research
• Quality improvement programs
• Documentation and reporting in electronic health records (EHRs)

They are particularly important in demonstrating the effectiveness and accountability of nursing in specialized fields such as:

• Rheumatology nursing
• Pediatric nursing
• Intensive care nursing

Structure and Example

Each outcome in the NOC contains the following elements:

• Label: Pain Level
  • Definition: Severity of pain reported or observed by an individual
• Indicators:
  • Reports pain intensity on a scale of 0–10
  • Reports pain relief with interventions
  • Demonstrates non-verbal signs of pain (grimacing, guarding)
• Measurement Scale: 1 (severely compromised) to 5 (not compromised)

Development

The NOC system was developed by the University of Iowa College of Nursing and continues to be updated based on ongoing research and clinical feedback.

See also

• Nursing Interventions Classification (NIC)
• Nursing diagnosis
• Nursing process
• Evidence-based nursing
• Health informatics
• Unified Medical Language System
• Standardized nursing terminology

External links

• National Library of Medicine – UMLS
• Nursing Outcomes Classification (U. Iowa)

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