LAUSR

PURPOSE To assess the surgical wound (SW) healing in orthopedic patients with Impaired tissue integrity according to the Nursing Outcomes Classification (NOC). METHODS A prospective longitudinal study performed with 24 patients. Data collection was performed through an instrument containing the NOC indicators. FINDINGS The indicators skin approximation, drainage, surrounding skin erythema, periwound edema, increased skin temperature, and foul wound odor presented a statistically significant increase when compared the means between the first and the last day of evaluation. CONCLUSION The NOC indicators allowed to monitor the SW healing indicating an improvement. IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING PRACTICE The NOC can favor an earlier identification of the degree of commitment for each patient and enables implementation of care to achieve target outcomes.