Although ICNP can be utilized at all acute care and long term care centers at the local, regionally, nationally and international levels, the exemplar used for this paper is a medical unit in an acute care hospital. ICNP has led to a large database that validates nursing specific diagnoses, interventions and outcomes. It is cross-referenced with different nursing classification systems to compile common information across the continuum. A nurse in the medical unit is able to utilize a care plan that is formulated based on information compiled and translated into best evidenced based practice. “Information gathered is also useful in the educational setting expands nursing knowledge of interventions, outcomes and languages” (Rutherford, 2008).
The nurse would choose a nursing diagnosis based on the assessment and collection of patient information. ICNP can be utilized incorporating other systems of classification such as Omaha System, NANDA, NIC, and HHCC (Hynn & Park, 2002). A nursing diagnosis is formulated and a recognized set of interventions would be initiated. With the added benefit of an electronic format at the bedside, the nurse is able to document at the bedside with more precision and timeliness, improving the accuracy of documentation. For example, a patient admitted with the diagnosis of COPD, the nurse could use the nursing diagnosis of impaired gas exchange. A care plan would be created with appropriate interventions and outcome criteria. Care would be more precise based on standardized interventions and outcomes derived from ICNP.
A study in 2005 to assess the “expressiveness” of an ICNP based computerized nursing record system. The study discovered that bedside nurses were receptive to its use. Seventy-five percent of data input achieved using the standardized language. Other data input was in
