The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of a closed endotracheal suction system(CES) on oxygen saturation, ventilator associated pneumonia(VAP), and nursing efficacy in mechanically ventilated patients.

This study was conducted in the intensive care unit of a University Hospital in Gwangju City. Data was collected from July to October, 2003. Seventy mechanically ventilated patients were randomly divided into two groups; 32 for CES and 38 for open endotracheal suction system(OES) protocol. Twenty one nurses were also involved to examine the nurses' attitude of usefulness about CES.

SaO₂ was significantly different between CES and OES. The incidence of VAP in CES was lower than that of OES. Nursing efficacy was related to time, cost, and usefulness of the suction system. Time of suctioning in CES was shorter than that of OES. CES also contributed significantly to lower the cost of treatment than OES. The usefulness score of CES increased after 6 months of use.

CES prevented VAP, was cost effective, and a safe suctioning system. CES ncan be used with patients with sensitivity to hypoxygenation and with a high risk of VAP.

The purpose of this study was to assess the importance and sensitivity to nursing interventions of four nursing sensitive nursing outcomes selected from the Nursing Outcomes Classification (NOC). Outcomes for this study were “Knowledge: Diet”, “Knowledge: Disease Process”, “Knowledge: Energy Conservation”, and “Knowledge: Health Behaviors”.

Data were collected from 183 nurses working in 2 university hospitals. Fehring method was used to estimate outcome and indicators' content and sensitivity validity. Multiple and stepwise regression were used to evaluate relationships between each outcome and its indicators.

Results confirmed the importance and nursing sensitivity of outcomes and their indicators. Key indicators of each outcomes were found by multiple regression. “Knowledge: Diet” was suggested for adding new indicators because the variance explained by indicators was relatively low. Not all of the indicators selected for stepwise regression model were rated for highly in Fehring method. The R² statistics of the stepwise regression models were between 18 and 63% in importance by selected indicators and between 34 and 68% in contribution by selected indicators.

This study refined what outcomes and indicators will be useful in clinical practice. Further research will be required for the revision of outcome and indicators of NOC. However, this study refined what outcomes and indicators will be useful in clinical practice.

The purpose of this study was to develop and to apply the NANDA, NOC, and NIC (NNN) linkages into a computerized nursing process program using the classification systems of nursing diagnoses, nursing outcomes and nursing interventions.

The program was developed with planning, analysis, design and performance stages. The program was applied to 117 patients who were admitted to orthopedic surgery nursing units from January to February, 2004.

Thirty-five of fifty-three nursing diagnoses were identified. Five nursing diagnoses in order of frequency were: Acute pain (28.4%), Impaired physical mobility (15.6%), Impaired walking (8.7%), Chronic pain (5.5%) and Risk for disuse syndrome (5.0%). The nursing outcomes of the 'Acute pain' nursing diagnosis tended to have higher frequencies (cumulative) in order of Pain management (95.2%), Comfort level (35.5%) and Pain level (17.7%). The nursing interventions of the ‘Acute pain’ nursing diagnosis tended to have higher frequencies (cumulative) in order of Pain management (71.0%), Splinting (24.2%) and Analgesic administration (17.7%). In comparison of outcome indicator scores between before and after the intervention according to the 61 nursing outcomes, the mean scores of 52 outcome indicators after the intervention were significantly higher than before the intervention.

It is expected that this program will help nurses perform their nursing processes more efficiently.