Nursing care management based on the Omaha system for inpatients diagnosed with COVID-19: An electronic health record study

Aims The aim of this study was to identify the clinical characteristics of patients diagnosed with COVID-19 and the existing nursing problems based on the Omaha System, and to establish a comprehensive nursing care management plan by determining the nursing interventions and care outcomes. Design This study used a descriptive cross-sectional design. Methods This study was conducted in a training and research hospital with 25 non-intubated COVID-19 inpatients between 6 April and 13 May 2020 in Turkey. Data were collected using a Socio-demographic and Clinical Characteristics Form, the COVID-19 Response Separate Guidelines and the Omaha System and Nightingale Notes software. Data were analysed using descriptive statistical tests and the chi-square method. Results Using the Omaha System, it was shown that the patients' most common problems were communicable/infectious condition, respiration, circulation, pain, nutrition, personal care and substance use respectively. The most common signs and symptoms were signs of infection, fever, cough, respiratory distress and pain. The interventions that were performed most frequently to the patients included infection precautions, medication action/side effects, signs/symptoms-physical, dietary management and nursing care targets for intervention. These interventions were applied using the category of teaching, guidance and counselling. A significant improvement was observed in the patients' pre- and post-intervention knowledge, behaviour and status scores. Conclusions The results showed that the Omaha System provided effective guidelines for diagnosing the problems, planning and implementing appropriate interventions for the COVID-19 patients. Therefore, it is recommended to use the Omaha System in nursing care of COVID-19 patients. Impact This is the first study to identify the nursing problems of COVID-19 patients and to evaluate the outcomes of nursing interventions and care using an international taxonomy along with electronic health record software. The findings of this study can provide evidence-based guidelines addressing the nursing problems, interventions and outcomes of COVID-19 patients.