PURPOSE:

To examine the effects of using standardized terminologies in nursing.

METHODS:

A systematic literature research was conducted in June 2015 going back to January 2007. A modified narrative synthesis was used as the structure for the analysis.

RESULTS:

Twenty-three articles were included. Three themes were identified: enable evaluation of nursing-sensitive outcome indicators, enable calculation of resource consumption, and characterize nursing care.

CONCLUSIONS:

The studies included in the analysis described evidence for usefulness rather than effect. In all the studies, standardized nursing terminology was found to be essential for measuring, clarifying, and understanding nursing care.

IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING PRACTICE:

The use of standardized terminologies could be advantageous. However, there are shortcomings in nursing documentation and the use of standardized nursing terminologies that obstruct evaluation of nursing care