Page 401 - Encyclopedia of Nursing Research

368 n OUTCOMe MeASUReS

Outcome measures are often used in outcomes. Outcome research in the past has
reference to Donabedian’s (1992) structure– strongly relied on observational research
O process–outcome paradigm, the predominant often using large-scale databases. Because of
quality model in health care. Donabedian its close relationship to quality and quality
defines outcomes as “states or conditions improvement, a stronger focus on the imple-
of individuals or populations attributed mentation of quality improvement initiatives
or attributable to antecedent healthcare” has developed in recent years with stronger
(p. 356). Donabedian’s framework of health focus on interventional designs.
care quality, which integrates measures of Outcome measures are indicators of a
structures, processes, and outcome, has been change of patient health status, important
instrumental for the development of outcome to patients, health care organizations, and
research and quality measurement. These policy makers. Currently, outcome data are
informational domains are not considered as compiled from a wide range of sources such
attributes of health care quality but deliver as clinical, administrative, and survey data,
evidence to make inference about the quality which too often puts redundant, if not con-
provided. Here structures refer to physical flicting, data collection burdens on health
and organizational properties (e.g., staffing), care providers. Lack of alignment of measure
whereas processes describe the treatment of specifications makes it difficult to compare
and interventions done for patients. Finally, analytic results from data sets using different
outcomes describe what is accomplished for specifications. The development of interoper-
the patient (Donabedian, 1992). Depending on able electronic medical records will reduce
the aim of the quality assessment, outcomes redundant data collection efforts and pro-
can be classified in seven different groups: mote faster reporting of outcomes to health
clinical, physiological-biochemical, physical, care providers.
psychological (mental), social and psycho-
social, integrative outcomes, and evaluative Michael Simon