A feasibility study on Nurse Sensitive Outcomes in the Mental Health Setting
Royal Perth Bentley Group
$15,000
Coordinating Principal Investigator: Dr Irene Ngune
Co-Investigators: Ms Fenece Collet, A/Prof Vicki Patton, Prof Lisa Whitehead, Prof Martin Jones
A new research initiative is set to break important ground for mental health care in Western Australia by defining and validating nurse-sensitive outcomes (NSOs) for acute mental health settings — an area where evidence has been lacking.
NSOs are clinical indicators that directly reflect the quality and impact of nursing care. While widely used across general hospital settings, they have never been fully adapted for mental health environments. This is despite mental health nurses forming the largest component of the acute psychiatric workforce and being central to patient safety and outcomes.
Led by Dr Irene Ngune, this feasibility study will determine which NSOs are most suitable for WA’s health services, using expert consultation and existing administrative data systems. Seven core indicators have already been identified—aggression, seclusion, restraint, self-harm, absconding, use of PRN medication, and special observations — but further work is needed to localise and validate these measures.
The project will also ensure meaningful involvement with consumers and carers from the outset. Their perspectives will guide both the design and delivery of the consultation process, creating a patient-informed framework for evaluating care.
The long-term benefits of this research project are clear: better patient care, improved workforce planning, and informing policy development in mental health settings.
With no current validated NSO framework for inpatient mental health settings in WA, this project represents a timely and essential step forward in understanding and improving the quality of mental health nursing care.