Patient-reported outcome measures: implications for nursing.

The Patient Reported Outcome Measures (PROMs) Programme, which was implemented by the NHS in 2009, gives prominence to patients' views about their health. Self-reported measures of health are now being sought from all patients before and after four elective procedures--hip and knee replacement surgery, hernia repair and varicose veins surgery. This information will be used to assess changes in health and provides routine information on NHS patients' health outcomes for the first time. The information will be used to identify and reward good performance by providers; help patients to make choices and clinicians to monitor and improve quality; and inform commissioners' decisions about which services to prioritise. The aim of this article is to inform nurses about PROMs and encourage them to engage with it.