8.3: Guidelines for Writing Outcome

When developing expected outcomes for a patient care plan, the nurse should adhere to the following recommendations:

Patient outcomes reflect the patient's response to the goal rather than what the nurse aims to achieve. Terminology should be observable and measurable to avoid the reader's interpretation. The desired outcome should be realistic and achievable in the designated care timeframe. Expected outcomes should align with adjunctive therapies. The outcome should enhance care evaluation by ensuring a relationship with planned interventions. The patient should be involved with outcome planning to ensure compliance and meet aligned values.

The mnemonic REEPIG can be used to maintain standards of practice to ensure that care is of the highest standards: Realistic, Explicitly stated, Evidence-based, Prioritized, Involved, and Goal centered.

When writing patient outcomes, there are a few guidelines to ensure clarity and eliminate bias.

Outcomes should be written in terms of the patient's response and not framed as a nursing intervention.

Observable and measurable verbs like 'perform' or 'identify' should be used while writing outcomes. Avoid unquantifiable verbs, such as 'know' or 'understand,' which are left open to the reader's interpretation.

The desired outcome should be realistic and achievable within the designated care timeframe and should not incorporate more than one behavior. They should also be specific, with indistinct outcomes being avoided.

Outcomes should also be written in such a way that they are congruent with the therapies of other health professionals.

Writing an outcome for a nursing diagnosis should enhance the evaluation of care by ensuring its relationship with planned interventions.

Lastly, the patient should be involved while writing desired outcomes to ensure that they feel invested and are willing and able to cooperate to achieve the desired result.