Summary
Objectives: To develop evidence-based standardized care plans (EB-SCP) for use internationally
to improve home care practice and population health.
Methods: A clinical-expert and scholarly method consisting of clinical experts recruitment,
identification of health concerns, literature reviews, development of EB-SCPs using
the Omaha System, a public comment period, revisions and consensus.
Results: Clinical experts from Canada, the Netherlands, New Zealand, and the United States
participated in the project, together with University of Minnesota School of Nursing
graduate students and faculty researchers. Twelve Omaha System problems were selected
by the participating agencies as a basic home care assessment that should be used
for all elderly and disabled patients. Interventions based on the literature and clinical
expertise were compiled into EB-SCPs, and reviewed by the group. The EB-SCPs were
revised and posted on-line for public comment; revised again, then approved in a public
meeting by the participants. The EB-SCPs are posted on-line for international dissemination.
Conclusions: Home care EB-SCPs were successfully developed and published on-line. They provide
a shared standard for use in practice and future home care research. This process
is an exemplar for development of evidence-based practice standards to be used for
assessment and documentation to support global population health and research.
Keywords
Evidence-based practice - standardization - patient care planning - home care services
- Electronic health records
