Nurses’ experiences of measuring nursing intensity in home health care – a qualitative study.

This study was a part of a municipal research and development programme in home healthcare (HHC). The Oulu Patient
Classification instrument (OPCq), part of the RAFAELA Nursing Intensity and Staffing system, was used to measure nursing
intensity (NI) for the first time in HHC in Norway. The aim was to describe nurses’ work experiences and perceptions of the
usability of the OPCq instrument when classifying NI in HHC. Twenty-two members of staff participated in four focus-group
interviews. Content analyses were used to analyze and interpret the data. Three themes emerged: 1) Classifying the modified
OPCq levels correctly; 2) Technological problems hinder use of the instrument; 3) Classifying NI when time pressure dominates.
The OPCq instrument is useful in classifying NI, although some minor adjustments might be needed for its use in HHC. The
nurses considered the OPCq instrument useful in illuminating the actual work situation in HHC and the time pressure they
experience.