Lessons learned while collecting ANA indicator data.
Realizing the importance of linking nursing's contribution to quality patient care, a pilot study was conducted to determine whether data regarding the quality indicators proposed by the American Nurses' Association (ANA) could be collected from five acute-care inpatient units at one medical center that is part of a multisite managed care system. Although it was determined that data regarding the ANA quality indicators could be collected at the study site, a variety of unanticipated findings emerged. These findings reflect both discrepancies and congruities between how the investigative team expected the ANA indicators to operate versus what was actually experienced. The lessons learned while collecting ANA indicator data are shared to assist future users and to advance the evolution of the ANA indicators.