Abstract
The development of nursing information systems (NIS) is often hampered by the fact
that nursing lacks a unified nursing terminology and classification system. Currently
there exist various initiatives in this area. We address the question as to how current
initiatives in the development of nursing terminology and classification systems can
contribute towards the development of NIS. First, the rationale behind the formalization
of nursing knowledge is discussed. Next, using a framework for nursing information
processing, the most important developments in the field of nursing on formalization,
terminology and classification are critically reviewed. The initiatives discussed
include nursing terminology projects in several countries, and the International Classification
of Nursing Practice. Suggestions for further developments in the area are discussed.
Finally, implications for NIS are presented, as well as the relationships of these
components to other sections of an integrated computerized patient record.
Keywords
Nursing Informatics - Nursing Records - Nursing Information Systems - Medical Records
- Classification and Coding
