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.

This study was done to examine relationships between nurse staffing level and postsurgical patient outcomes using inpatient database from the National Health Insurance.

Records of 111,491 patients who received one of 12 types of surgery between January and December, 2009 were identified and analyzed in this study. Nurse staffing level was measured using adjusted nurse staffing grades from 0 to 7. Patient outcomes were defined as in-hospital mortality, or pneumonia, sepsis, or urinary tract infection after surgery. Logistic regression analyses estimated by Generalized Estimation Model, were used to analyze the association between nurse staffing level and patient outcomes.

An inverse relationship was found between nurse staffing and patient mortality. Compared with patients who were cared for in hospitals with the highest nurse staffing (Grades 0-1), increases in the odds of dying were found in those with Grades 6-7 [OR (odds ratio)= 2.99, 95% CI (confidence interval)= 1.94-4.60], those with Grades 4-5 (OR= 1.78, 95% CI= 1.24-2.57) and those with Grades 2-3 (OR= 1.57, 95% CI= 1.25-1.98). Lower nurse staffing level was also associated with higher number of cases in pneumonia and sepsis.

Policies for providing adequate nurse staffing is required to enhance quality of care and lead to better perioperative patient outcomes.