Dimensions and indicators of patients' perceived nursing care quality in the hospital setting.

Nursing professionals have noted the impact of cost-containment strategies on nursing care quality in the hospital setting. However, there is a lack of scientific data to demonstrate the impact. The author reviewed 53 published data-based primary studies of patient satisfaction with nursing care (PSNC) from 1982 to the present and identified 13 published PSNC instruments. The author performed content analysis of the published instruments and identified the dimensions and indicators of patients' perceived structure, process, and outcomes attributed to nursing care. The needs for further development of instruments to assess patients' perceived nursing care quality are identified.