The purpose of this research is to explore the Nursing Outcomes Classification (NOC) applicability on hospitalized orthopedic patients diagnosed with Self-care Deficit: bathing/hygiene. This is a quantitative, descriptive study developed in a university hospital with patients submitted to total hip replacement in 2008. The data collection instrument was composed of 24 NOC Self-care outcome indicators: Selfcare: Activities of Daily Living; Self-care: Bathing; Self-care: Hygiene; Self-care: Oral Hygiene; and a Likert scale in which 1 = dependent; 2 = does not participate; 3 = requires an assistant; 4 = independent but requires an assistant mechanism; 5 = completely independent. 25 patients bathing on first and third post-operative day were observed. Ethical aspects were respected. In 21 cases there was significant statistical variation between average scores from first to second bath. NOC classification scales presented internal consistency, proving their reliability to measure the patient evolution during nursing care implementation.
Nursing process; Outcome assessment (health care); Classification; Orthopedic nursing
