Establishing nursing-sensitive quality indicators for the operating room: A cross-sectional Delphi survey conducted in China

Abstract Background Nursing-sensitive quality indicators comprise principles, procedures, and assessments to quantify the level of nursing quality in hospital departments. Although studies have demonstrated that quality indicators are essential for monitoring nursing practice in the operating room (OR), nursing quality in China is highly subjective and localised OR nursing-sensitive quality indicators are lacking. Objective This study aimed to establish scientific, objective and comprehensive nursing-sensitive quality indicators for the OR to evaluate and monitor OR nursing care quality in China. Methods Literature search for relevant evidence-based studies was performed using Cochrane, Medline, PubMed, Embase, and other databases, followed by literature review and group discussion by the expert panel. Two successive rounds of Delphi surveys were conducted using questionnaires completed by the expert panel to reach consensus and define nursing-sensitive quality indicators for the OR. Results Two rounds of Delphi surveys each had 100% questionnaire retrieval rate, with Kendall W coordination coefficients ranging from 0.096 to 0.263 ( P W was 0.263 for importance, 0.126 for rationality, and 0.125 for feasibility of data collection (all P Conclusions Scientific, practical, and reliable OR nursing-sensitive quality indicators can be established based on evidence-based studies and expert consensus using the Delphi method. The quality indicators developed in this study may provide an objective and quantitative reference for evaluating nursing quality in Chinese ORs.