Cross-Mapping of Nursing Care Terms Recorded in Italian Hospitals into the Standardized NNN Terminology

PURPOSE: To evaluate if nursing diagnoses, interventions, and outcomes, as recorded by nurses in Italian hospitals, were semantically equivalent to the NANDA-I, NIC, and NOC (NNN) terminology. METHODS: A cross-mapping study using a multicenter design. Terms indicating nursing diagnoses, interventions, and outcomes were collected using the D-Catch instrument. Cross-mapping of these terms with NNN terminology was performed. FINDINGS: A sample of 137 nursing documentations was included. Over 80% of nursing diagnostic terms, interventions, and outcomes were cross-mapped into NNN terminology. CONCLUSIONS: The study showed that most of the natural terms used by nurses were semantically equivalent to the standardized terms of NNN terminology. IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING PRACTICE: In Italy, the use of NNN terminology is recommended; however, further development of this terminology is needed.