# Developing a Subset of ICNP® Terminology for NICU and Neonatology Settings

## TL;DR

This paper presents a new subset of the ICNP® nursing language for NICU and neonatology settings, validated and aligned with SNOMED CT to improve nursing documentation and electronic health records.

## Contribution

The development of a validated and SNOMED CT-compatible ICNP® subset for NICU and neonatology settings.

## Key findings

- 479 ICNP® terms were validated by experts, with 99.65% compatible with SNOMED CT.
- 97 new terms were proposed, with 93.81% compatibility with SNOMED CT.
- The final subset includes 576 terms, supporting EHR adoption and nursing care standardization.

## Abstract

What are the main findings?
ICNP® is a standardized nursing language that can represent nursing phenomena in NICU and neonatology settings; 576 terms make up a proposed Subset.SNOMED CT can represent the proposed ICNP® Subset.

ICNP® is a standardized nursing language that can represent nursing phenomena in NICU and neonatology settings; 576 terms make up a proposed Subset.

SNOMED CT can represent the proposed ICNP® Subset.

What are the implications of the main findings?
The use of ICNP® in NICU and neonatology settings could increase patient safety, nursing research, and the visibility of nursing care.The use of the proposed Subset may facilitate the introduction of EHRs into clinical practice in NICU and neonatology settings.

The use of ICNP® in NICU and neonatology settings could increase patient safety, nursing research, and the visibility of nursing care.

The use of the proposed Subset may facilitate the introduction of EHRs into clinical practice in NICU and neonatology settings.

Background/Objectives: The International Classification for Nursing Practice (ICNP®) is a standardized nursing language that enables the description of nursing care through diagnoses, interventions, and outcomes. An ICNP® Subset is a sub-group of ICNP® terms appropriate for settings of practice, facilitating the direct use of the ICNP® in nursing documentation. As far as we know, there are no Subsets concerning neonatology and Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) settings. The aim of this study is to develop a Subset of ICNP® for NICU and neonatology settings, presenting terms that are validated and harmonized with SNOMED CT nomenclature. Methods: This is a two-phase study. In the first phase, ICNP® terms were validated through a qualitative study using a four-round Delphi method and a focus group involving experts in NICU and neonatology settings and education. The second phase focused on harmonizing the proposed ICNP® Subset with SNOMED CT. Results: A total of 479 ICNP® terms belonging to the Diagnosis/Outcome (DC) and Intervention (IC) axes were validated by the experts. Of these, 99.65% were found to be compatible with SNOMED CT. In addition, 97 new terms (30 Diagnoses/Outcomes and 67 Interventions) were validated and are currently awaiting approval by the International Council of Nurses. Of the newly proposed terms, 93.81% were compatible with SNOMED CT. Conclusions: The proposed Subset consists of 576 ICNP® terms, including 177 Diagnoses/Outcomes and 399 Interventions. Its implementation may support the adoption of electronic health records in neonatal and NICU settings and contribute to improving the quality and standardization of nursing care.