The impact of whole of patient nursing assessment frameworks on hospital inpatients: A scoping literature review
Authors: Wiseman Taneal , Kourouche Sarah , Jones Tamsin , Kennedy Belinda , Curtis Kate 
Published: December 2023

Introduction

A comprehensive patient assessment is essential for safe patient care. Patient assessment frameworks for nurses are generally restricted to patients who already have altered vital signs and are at risk of deterioration, or to specific risks or body systems such as falls, pressure injury and the Glasgow Coma Score. Comprehensive and structured evidence‐based nursing assessment frameworks that consider the whole patient and extend beyond vital signs, specific risks and single systems are not routinely used in inpatient settings but are important to establish early risks for patient deterioration.

Aim

The aim of this review was to identify nursing assessment tools or frameworks used to holistically assess hospitalized patients and to identify the impact of these tools on patient and health service outcomes.

Methods

A scoping literature review was conducted. Medical Literature Analysis and Retrieval System Online (MEDLINE), Cumulative Index of Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL), ProQuest Dissertations and Thesis, Embase and Scopus were databases used in the search. The initial search was conducted in August 2021 and repeated in November 2022. No date parameters were set. The Participants, Concept, Context (PCC) framework was used to guide the development of the research question and consolidate inclusion and exclusion criteria. The PRISMA‐ScR Checklist Item was followed to ensure a methodologically sound checklist was used.

Results

Ten primary research studies evaluating six nursing assessment frameworks were included. Of the five nursing assessment frameworks, none were explicitly designed for general ward nursing, but rather the emergency department or specific patient cohorts, such as oncology. Four studies reported on reliability and/or validity; two reported on patient outcomes and four on staff satisfaction.

Conclusion

Evidence‐based nursing patient assessment frameworks for use in general inpatient wards are lacking. Existing assessment tools are largely designed for specific patient cohorts, specific body systems or the already deteriorating patient.

Implications for the Profession and Patient Care

A framework to enable a structured approach to patient assessment in this environment is needed for patient safety, consistency in assessment, nursing staff enablement and confidence to escalate care. Routine systematic nursing assessment could also aid timely patient escalation.

Impact

What problem did the study address? This study addresses the lack of evidence‐based nursing assessment frameworks for use in hospitalized patients. The impact of this is that it highlights the need for an evidence‐based, whole of patient assessment framework for use by nurses for patients admitted to a ward environment.

What were the main findings? This review identified limited comprehensive, patient assessment frameworks for use in general ward inpatient areas. Those identified were not validated for this patient cohort and are aimed at patients already deteriorating.

Where and on whom will the research have an impact? This review has the potential to impact future research and patient care. It highlights that most research is focussed on processes to detect and escalate care for the already deteriorating patient. There is a need for an evidence‐based routine nursing assessment framework for patients admitted to a ward environment to promote positive patient outcomes and prevent deterioration.

Patient and Public Contribution

This review contributes to existing knowledge of nursing patient assessment frameworks, yet it also highlights several gaps. Currently, there are no known, validated, holistic, structured nursing patient assessment frameworks for use in general ward inpatient settings. However, areas that do use such assessment frameworks (e.g. the emergency department) have shown positive patient outcomes and staff usability. Hospitalized ward patients would benefit from routine, structured nursing assessments targeting positive patient outcomes prior to the onset of deterioration.