The development and piloting of electronic standardized measures on nursing work: combining engineering and nursing knowledge.

• Published in: Journal of Nursing Management
• Main Authors: Bragadóttir, Helga, Gunnarsdóttir, Sigrún, Ingason, Helgi T
• Other Authors: Univ Iceland, Fac Nursing, Sch Hlth Sci, IS-101 Reykjavik, Iceland, Landspitali Univ Hosp, IS-101 Reykjavik, Iceland, Reykjavik Univ, Sch Sci & Engn, Reykjavik, Iceland
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: Wiley-Blackwell 2014
• Subjects: Hjúkrun; Stjórnun; Starfsfólk; Sjúkrahús; Frammistöðumat; Kannanir; Computers; Handheld; Data Collection; Female; Health Services Research; Human Engineering; Humans; Male; Nursing; Nursing Administration Research; Nursing Staff; Hospital; Observational Study as Topic; Program Development; Iceland
• Online Access: http://hdl.handle.net/2336/321996; https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2834.2012.01433.x

To access publisher's full text version of this article, please click on the hyperlink in Additional Links field or click on the hyperlink at the top of the page marked Files. This article is open access. This paper describes the development and piloting of electronic standardized measures on nursing work (e-SMNW) for rich data gathering on the work and work environment of registered nurses (RNs) and practical nurses (PNs). Efficient and valid methods are needed to measure nursing work to enhance the optimal use of the nursing workforce for safe patient care. The study combined human factors engineering (HFE) and nursing knowledge to develop electronic standardized measures for observational studies on nursing work in acute care. The work and work environment of RNs and PNs in acute care medical and surgical inpatient units was successfully measured using e-SMNW. With predetermined items of work activities and influencing factors in the work of nurses, and full use of computer technology, multi-layered rich standardized data were gathered, analysed and displayed. The combination of nursing knowledge, HFE and computer technology enables observational data collection for a rich picture of the complex work of nursing. Information collected by standardized and multi-layered measures makes it easier to identify potential improvements, with regard to influencing factors and management of the work and work environment of nurses. Further use of computer technology in health services research is encouraged. Landspitali-University Hospital, University of Iceland, Association of Registered Nurses in Iceland, Association of Practical Nurses in Icelandic Institute of Nursing Studies at the University of Iceland Faculty of Nursing Landspitali-Univesity Hospital