Literature search strategy.
Search Strategy
To effectively identify and synthesize relevant literature on the topic of nurse-sensitive indicators (NSIs), a comprehensive search strategy was employed, encompassing various databases and search techniques. The search strategy was refined based on feedback from faculty and insights gained from the initial literature review process.
Search Terms
Key search terms were identified to capture the essence of the research question:
- Nurse-sensitive indicators
- Nursing quality indicators
- Patient safety indicators
- Patient satisfaction indicators
- Nursing care and patient outcomes
Medical Subject Headings (MeSH)
Medical Subject Headings (MeSH) were utilized to enhance the precision of the search, ensuring that relevant articles were retrieved:
- Nursing Quality Indicators
- Nursing Care Indicators
- Patient Safety Indicators
- Patient Satisfaction
- Quality of Care
Hand Searches
In addition to electronic database searches, a hand search of relevant journals and book chapters was conducted to identify potentially missed but significant publications.
Inclusion and Exclusion Criteria
Inclusion criteria were established to narrow down the search results and focus on relevant studies:
- Articles published in English
- Studies published within the last 10 years
- Studies primarily focused on nurse-sensitive indicators
- Studies that clearly report the impact of NSIs on patient outcomes
- Studies conducted in various healthcare settings
Exclusion criteria were applied to eliminate irrelevant or unsuitable studies:
- Studies not focused on nurse-sensitive indicators
- Studies solely focused on theoretical frameworks or conceptual discussions
- Studies with unclear or inconclusive findings
- Studies conducted in specific healthcare settings not applicable to the research question
Number of Pieces Found and Retained
The initial search strategy yielded a total of 523 articles. After applying the inclusion and exclusion criteria, 82 articles were deemed relevant and retained for further analysis.
Refinements to the Search Strategy
Based on faculty feedback and insights gained from the initial literature review, the search strategy was refined to capture a broader range of relevant literature:
- Additional search terms were incorporated to capture synonyms and related concepts.
- The search was expanded to include systematic reviews and government publications.
- Additional databases were included in the search, such as CINAHL and ProQuest.