Assessing the reliability, validity, and sensitivity of nursing outcomes classification in home care settings.

The purpose of this study is to provide evidence of the validity, inter-rater reliability, and sensitivity of 36 clinically useful of Nursing Outcomes Classification (NOC) results for Home Care (HC) settings. The results of inter-rater reliability, criterion-related validity, and sensitivity evaluations of 36 NOC outcomes were compiled from a 10-site regional evaluation of the NOC. Findings of HC and all sites data were contrasted. More than 90% of the inter-rater reliability scores on the 36 NOC outcome label ratings were within one point, with a substantial number of absolute agreements. All but six of the criterion measures were significantly associated with the corresponding NOC outcomes, and most mean change scores were zero or positive. This was impressive evidence of the adequacy of these measures for reliable and valid use in practice.