Cross-mapping the Finnish Care Classification and the Oulu Patient Classification

Abstract

The purpose of this paper is to describe the process of cross-mapping and validating the Finnish Care Classification, FinCC and the Oulu Patient Classification, OPC measurement tool for patient care intensity. The process will be carried out with two expert panels. This will result a cross-mapped classification system to use be used in every electronic patient record systems in Finland.

Introduction

Patient care intensity classification is an essential element of nursing core data belonging to the structural data of the Finnish electronic patient record. The OPC is the most commonly used patient intensity classification in Finland and is part of the RAFAELA™-system2. The Finnish Care Classification includes both Classification for Nursing Diagnosis (FiCND) and Interventions (FiCNI). The FinCC versions 2.0 and 2.0.1 have been cross-mapped with the Oulu Patient Classification (OPC) earlier. The OPC, FiCND and FiCNI were cross-mapped twice (2006, 2008) by expert nurses in various hospitals in Finland. The first steps on cross-mapping were done in the Oulu University Hospital and after that the first version of mapping was sent for validation to nurses in four different hospitals and to a couple of specialists of nursing classification. That was all done in collaboration with National Nursing Documentation Project in Finland 2005 – 200811. In 2011 a new FinCC version 3.0 has been launched based on users` comments and validation of the expert group. This creates a need to update and re-cross-mapp the new version with the OPC as well.

Aim of the study

This study aims to describe the cross-mapping process of the FinCC version 3.0 and the OPC by analyzing the similarities and differences both in the cross-mapping and validation process. The further aim is develop a mean to install this new classification in the EPR system.

Methods

The updated version of the FinCC will be first cross-mapped to OPC by a terminology expert group and secondly the Delphi method will be used to validate the result. An expert panel has agreed to participate in the Delphi study with two rounds starting in January, 2012.

Conclusion

The structure of nursing documentation in Finland is based on the nursing process model and nursing diagnosis, interventions and outcomes are documented using the FinCC. In the future it is ideal when nurses are documenting nursing care, nursing intensity will be automatically assed based on the cross-mapping in electronic patient record. This will improve reliability of intensity data used in nursing management.