Researchers discuss future use of Nursing Quality Indicators National Database

An article in the May issue of the Journal of Nursing Administration discusses the research and development of the National Database of Nursing Quality Indicators, nurse-sensitive measures developed in the 1990s to capture the value of nursing care on patient quality outcomes. AONL member and lead author Heather Nelson-Brantley, PhD, RN, associate professor, University of Alabama at Birmingham, and co-authors say the measures have successfully demonstrated the value of nursing in improving quality, particularly in reducing catheter-associated urinary tract infections and central line-associated bloodstream infections. They say the NDNQI should expand to support Magnet recognition and federal requirements. In addition, they call for additional measures to assess the effect of virtual nursing care and nurse manager span of control on nurse and patient outcomes.