Indicators of nursing care quality. Findings from a pilot study.

Staffing data (staff mix and nursing care hours) and patient outcome indicator data (falls, skin integrity, nosocomial infections, and satisfaction) from a pilot study are presented. These data provide a compelling case for developing databases and collection systems that capture standardized indicator and staffing data to address issues about the quality of nursing care. They also underscore the need for establishing benchmarks that represent targets of excellence as well as determining what constitutes adequate staffing.