Development and Validation of Data Specifications for Nursing Problems in Maternal Nursing Care

The aims of this study were to develop data specifications for nursing problems related to maternal nursing care and to test the applicability of those data specifications. First, we identified focus concepts and characterizing concepts of nursing problems by analyzing nursing-problem statements from nursing records, reviewing the literature, and interviewing experts. Second, we identified relationships between the focus concepts and characterizing concepts. Third, value sets of characterizing concepts were identified and types and cardinalities of the characterizing concepts were defined based on those value sets. Finally, data specifications were evaluated by a group of experts and by applying them to published case reports. The adequacy of the characterizing concepts and value sets, and the types and cardinalities of the characterizing concepts were validated. In total, 58 data specifications were developed with 53 characterizing concepts, relationships, and value sets. Their validity was established by the experts and by their application to case reports. The data specifications developed in this study can ensure that electronic health records contain meaningful and valid information, and support the semantic interoperability of nursing information.