Abstract
Classification systems constitute an important contribution to nursing practice, as they provide standardized frameworks for communication between nurses and other healthcare professionals. International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) provides a unified and standardized language, as well as a working structure, for the description of health and health-related states. This paper aims to describe some of the available classifications used in nursing practice and to identify the potential value provided by the application of the World Health Organization (WHO) International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health by all healthcare professionals. With this purpose, a concept analysis was conducted. The relevant nursing classifications were analyzed and related evidence on the use of ICF classification was reviewed to provide a discussion on the application of ICF in nursing practice. The use of ICF could be beneficial in different areas of nursing practice, as it provides a more comprehensive framework to classify nursing outcomes and interventions, improving areas such as interprofessional communication and optimization of care. Although there is published evidence on the use of ICF core sets, further research is needed on this area.
Highlights
Classification systems constitute an important contribution to nursing practice, as they provide standardized frameworks for communication between nurses and other healthcare professionals
The ICF covers the aims of nursing interventions, and it applies in acute and post-acute rehabilitation, as these interventions may be associated with categories, and this method can be useful in clinical practice
ICF core sets for rheumatoid arthritis have been validated for nursing, and the results showed a wide application in clinical practice
Summary
Classification systems constitute an important contribution to nursing practice, as they provide standardized frameworks for communication between nurses and other healthcare professionals. They can be used as a guide to choose the best interventions and as a framework for recording them and assessing outcomes, providing higher quality care. There are different nursing classification systems, such as the North American Nursing Diagnosis Association classification (NANDA), the Nursing Interventions Classification (NIC), the Nursing Outcomes Classification (NOC), the International Classification for Nursing Practice (ICNP), and the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF). Res. Public Health 2018, 15, 2245; doi:10.3390/ijerph15102245 www.mdpi.com/journal/ijerph
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
