Table 5. Outcome-Interval Taxonomy.

Outcome	Definition	Examples
Service-Specific Outcome	An outcome whose baseline pertains to the time immediately preceding a unit of service and whose followup time point pertains to a time (possibly immediately) following the unit of service.	Increased ability to manage oral medications (dosage and frequency) on the part of a nursing home patient with a cardiac condition after a single LPN teaching session. As a result of the first of several home care visits, increased patient and family awareness of safety hazards for an individual who is impaired in ambulation.
Multi-Service Outcome	An outcome whose baseline pertains to the time immediately preceding several units of service and whose followup time point pertains to a time (possibly immediately) following the several units of service.	Change in a chronic care nursing home resident's ability to transfer (from bed to chair) over a 3-month period during which the resident has been receiving range of motion and resistance training therapy from a physical therapist aide—over the course of an extended nursing home stay. Reduced anxiety after four psychiatric visits for patient undergoing extended psychiatric treatment (including medications) for acute anxiety attacks.
Episode-Specific Outcome	An outcome whose baseline pertains to the time immediately preceding the episode of care and whose followup time point pertains to a time (possibly immediately) following the episode of care.	Change in a stroke patient's ability to bathe herself after a 6-week stay in a skilled nursing facility that immediately followed a 2-day hospital stay precipitated by the patient's stroke. Healed pressure ulcer at discharge from home health care for a patient admitted to home care with a Stage 3 pressure ulcer.
Multi-Episode Outcome	An outcome whose baseline pertains to the time immediately preceding several episodes of care and whose followup time point pertains to a time (possibly immediately) following the multiple episodes.	Number of acute hospitalizations for a congestive heart failure patient over a 2-year period during which the patient was under the care of an HMO receiving primarily physician office-based care and home-and community-based services. Change in ability to speak and communicate interpersonally over a 6-month period for a stroke patient receiving acute care and post-acute speech and rehabilitation services.

NOTES: LPN is licensed practical nurse. HMO is health maintenance organization.

SOURCE: Shaughnessy, P.W., Kramer, A.M., Hittle, D.F., and Steiner, J.F., University of Colorado Health Sciences Center, 1995.