This thesis explored the relationship between the discourses of nursing care, the nursing care provision, and the perceived nursing care needs of three highly dependent residents in a residential aged care facility in Australia. Residential aged care in this country has undergone major reforms since 1987 and the nursing profession has struggled with these changes because of the documentation, validation, and accreditation requirements; the inadequate determination of dependency on nursing care for funding; the Registered Nurse (RN) being removed from the bedside to a role of scribe and delegator; the increasing acuity and complexity of the residents' needs; an increase in the turnover of residents; a rise in the nursing staff attrition rate; the delivery of care by untrained and unqualified persons; the RN being accountable and responsible for the care given by 'non-nurses' from a distance; and, the inadequate skill mix and staff to resident ratios provided in these institutions. The interest of this thesis was to research gerontological nursing practice in the context of residential aged care. Residential Aged Care Facilities (RACFs) in Australia that care for the highly dependent elderly were identified in the thesis as disciplinary institutions that used 'subjectivation' as a means to control the efficiency and effectiveness of the labour force and the 'docile' bodies of the residents, whilst at the same time the government rhetoric is that of the quality of life standards and the rights of residents in these institutions. As well as the discourse analysis, an historical overview of the aged care reforms in Australia was undertaken for the period from 1975 to 2006 that demonstrated the effects the reforms have had on the voice of nurses and nursing care in these institutions. This analysis highlighted where nurses have been silenced and found the federal government determining what is nursing care and what is not nursing care, and also who is providing this nursing care. Using a case study approach and discourse analysis each of the three residents was studied using data from five sources namely the resident or relative, a RN, a careworker (CW), the current documentation pertaining to the resident's nursing care, and the non-participant observation of the nursing care provided. These discourses on the nursing care and perceived residents' nursing care needs were analysed using the theoretical base developed from the philosophy and research interest of Michel Foucault (1926-1984), who questioned the apparatus and institutions of Western cultures and searched for discontinuities in the practices of what he termed 'disciplines'. The results of the discourse analysis found nursing care practices that were alarming around the residents' perceived nursing care needs, the documentation of the nursing care provision, and the observed 'actual' nursing care provided. A questionable standard of nursing care was evidenced even though this facility had recently been accredited. A custodial level of mechanistic care was provided to residents in an extremely noisy and public environment within a culture of haste and bustle by unknowledgeable CWs, under the distant gaze of a RN, and the direction of the government documentation requirements. This resulted in unsafe, unethical, unprofessional, and negligent practices, as well as fraudulent, illegal, and dangerously out of date documentation practices. This was ultimately affecting each resident's quality of life, nursing care, and wellbeing and was an added burden on the residents' relatives. Many discontinuities, dissonances, conflicts, and contradictions in nursing practice were uncovered for these three highly dependent residents that may be transferable and similar to other highly dependent residents in this and other institutions. Indeed it may mirror other disciplines that provide care services, such as mental health care, acute care, and disability care provision. The concerns for the nursing profession have epistemological, ethical, and political ramifications for the residents and their relatives, the nurses, the non-nurses doing nursing work, the government, and the industry. Epistemologically new nursing 'knowledges' were being developed that were not resident focussed or based on evidence. Ethically, the legislated rights of residents were not being supported, despite the accreditation, funding, and complaint mechanisms in place - and this has the potential to have punitive ramifications for the industry. Professionally and politically, CWs were identified as non-nurses doing nursing work of a poor standard. This care was not based on accepted nursing practice, but developed through the documentation requirements of the federal government department, the applied constraints, and the CWs themselves. Furthermore, the documentation requirements were found to be a pretence in regard to funding through validation and accreditation, as well as a charade in nursing practice. There is presently a substantial third level of nurses who are identified legally and political as non-nurses doing non-nursing work (known as 'personal' care); but these non-nurses are doing nursing work and are identified by the nursing profession and the public as 'nurses' doing nursing work. These non-nurses who provided nursing care are not educated, licensed, or regulated, and are not accountable professionally to nurses or legally to the public. It is proposed that CWs are in need of licensing under nurses' boards requiring at the very least a minimum of training and education. It is further proposed that documentation requirements resort back to professional nursing documentation; funding be dependent on an predetermined minimum skill mix and staff/resident ratio; and the funding of residents be based on a minimum data set and untied from nursing practice. The professional nursing practice of assessment, planning, implementation, and evaluation of nursing care needs resorting to a nursing domain of knowledge, practice, accountability, responsibility, and documentation. If an acceptable quality of life is to be realised for residents in the residential aged care system, given that highly dependent residents are reliant on quality nursing care that is fundamentally imperative to their very quantity and quality of life, then changes in the residential aged care system and the nursing profession will be necessary. This thesis will contribute to opening up such dialogue between the government, the industry, and the nursing profession in Australia, and it also highlights areas of aged care nursing practice in need of further research.

Tem-se como objetivo geral descrever e analisar as etapas percorridas para implantação do processo de avaliação da qualidade da assistência de enfermagem desenvolvido em um hospital universitário público. E como objetivos específicos, descrever a implementação do Programa de Qualidade Total e analisar os resultados das entrevistas, da observação do ambiente e da auditoria nas anotações de enfermagem realizadas em 2002, com pacientes internados em uma unidade médico-cirúrgica masculina do referido hospital. Trata-se de um estudo descritivo que utilizou o método quantitativo e o referencial teórico sobre qualidade total, auditoria e acreditação hospitalar. Os dados analisados provêm das três etapas do processo de avaliação da qualidade da assistência de enfermagem que consistiu na realização de entrevistas com 20% dos pacientes internados; na observação do ambiente onde o paciente estava inserido, incluindo nessa etapa a realização do exame físico, verificando in loco se os cuidados checados na prescrição de enfermagem foram realizados; e na auditoria das anotações de enfermagem efetuada nos prontuários dos mesmos pacientes entrevistados. Todos os critérios utilizados para coletar e analisar as informações foram discutidos e elaborados com os enfermeiros. Conclui-se que a equipe de enfermagem dessa instituição implementou vários processos de trabalho, utilizando-se das ferramentas preconizadas nos princípios da Qualidade Total. As políticas de contenção de gastos implementas pelo governo estadual impediram a reposição de pessoal e retiraram alguns benefícios que o trabalhador de enfermagem já havia conquistado, provocando revoltas e, trazendo conseqüências na organização e na manutenção dos processos de trabalho. A análise nos relatórios da unidade médico-cirúrgica masculina, demonstrou que a equipe atingiu, na opinião do paciente, o índice de prestar uma assistência de enfermagem segura nos itens referentes à Higiene e Conforto Físico, Atividades Físicas, Sono e Repouso. Para os itens referentes à Segurança Física e Nutrição e Hidratação alcançou o nível de assistência adequada, mas para os itens de Eliminações e Necessidades Emocionais alcançou o índice de assistência limítrofe. Para os itens de Necessidades Espirituais e Sociais os indicadores foram para uma assistência sofrível, demonstrando a pequena atenção que a equipe presta a esses aspectos. A análise referente à observação do ambiente também demonstrou que a equipe alcançou níveis de assistência adequada nos itens de Eliminações e Utilização de Equipamentos. Para os itens Atividade Física, Segurança Física a classificação da assistência foi segura, enquanto que para os itens de Higiene e Conforto Físico a classificação da assistência permaneceu sempre limítrofe. Mas o índice mais crítico foi em relação ao item Oxigênio e Ventilação que sempre permaneceu em assistência sofrível. Quanto aos resultados das auditorias realizadas nas anotações de enfermagem observou-se que, embora a equipe apresentasse melhora no preenchimento dos impressos, nunca atingiu o padrão estabelecido. O modelo de controle de qualidade utilizado nesse estudo mostrou ser um instrumento valioso para identificar a qualidade da prática assistencial executada pela equipe. / The main goal of this study is to describe and analyze the stages that take place through the implementation of the evaluation process in nursing care assistance developed in a public university hospital. As specific goals, it describes the implementation of the Total Quality Program and analyses results of interviews, environment observations and auditing nurses’ notes made in 2002 concerning patients admitted at the male medical-surgical unit of a public university hospital. It is a descriptive study in which a qualitative method was used as well as the theoretical reference on the total quality, auditing and hospital accrediting. The analyzed data were obtained from the three stages of the evaluation process of nursing assistance which consisted of interviews with 20% of the hospital patients; observation of the environment where the patient was inserted, and within this stage also the performance of the physical exams by checking in loco whether the prescribed nursing care was carried out; and auditing the nurses’ notes made in the medical reports of the interviewed patients. The criteria used to collect and analyze the information were discussed and elaborated together with the nurses. The conclusion was that the nursing team of that institution has implemented several working processes using the tools recommended by the Total Quality principles. State Government spending restraints impeded personnel replacement and took off from the nursing workers some benefits already achieved, what caused revolt and difficulties to the maintenance of the working process within the organization. The analysis of the reports of the male medical-surgical unit has proved that, in the patients’ opinion, the nursing team has reached the levels of a safe nursing care as far as Hygiene, Physical Comfort, Physical Activities, Sleep and Rest items were concerned. The team reached the level of adequate care for Physical Safety, Nutrition and Hydration items, although for the items Elimination and Emotional Needs the team reached the minimum care level. Items such as Spiritual and Social Needs reached the level of sufferable care, revealing low attention of the team to these aspects. The analysis of the environment observation also indicated that the team has reached the level of an adequate care for items such as Elimination and Equipment Utilization. Physical Activities and Physical Safety Care were classified as safe. Hygiene and Physical Comfort items maintained the classification of minimum care. The most critical index was the item related to Oxygen and Ventilation which remained as sufferable. As far as the results of auditing of the nurses’ observations are concerned it was observed that although the team’s performance improved in filling the forms it has never reached the established pattern. The quality control model used in this study proved to be a valuable instrument to identify the quality of the services of the nursing team.

Esforços para assegurar a melhoria da qualidade da assistência de enfermagem tem sido um desafio para os serviços de enfermagem. O controle de qualidade da assistência de enfermagem vinculado à auditoria dos cuidados de enfermagem representa uma estratégia fundamental na busca de uma enfermagem segura e com qualidade. O objetivo desse estudo é analisar os indicadores de qualidade da elaboração da prescrição de enfermagem da Unidade de Terapia Intensiva Neonatal do Hospital Universitário Regional do Norte do Paraná, no período de 2001 a 2003. Trata-se de um estudo descritivo, que utilizou o método quantitativo e o referencial teórico da auditoria retrospectiva. Os dados analisados provem dos 10 relatórios trimestrais da avaliação da qualidade de assistência de enfermagem, que se constitui na auditoria retrospectiva das prescrições de enfermagem efetuada nos prontuários dos pacientes. Conclui-se que embora os enfermeiros tenham conhecimento do manual de preenchimento da prescrição de enfermagem e acreditem na sistematização da assistência, os padrões estabelecidos para uma boa elaboração da prescrição não foram atingidos em nenhum dos relatórios. O indicador que atingiu maior escore, das prescrições avaliadas foi o Não Preenchido, com 47,7%, seguido do Completo com 34,2%, o Incompleto apresentando 14,6% e finalmente o Incorreto com um percentual de 1,7%. A maior concentração de itens Não Preenchidos estão naqueles que avaliam, de certa forma, os conhecimentos científicos bem como a capacidade de raciocínio clínico e crítico. Os itens que avaliam se a prescrição de enfermagem foi elaborada pelo enfermeiro que admitiu o paciente e se os horários foram prescritos de forma adequada apresentaram valores de 4,7% e 7,4% respectivamente, o que preocupa já que o valor aceitável para este indicador é 0%. O controle da qualidade da elaboração da prescrição de enfermagem demonstrou ser um valioso instrumento da prática assistencial possibilitando a visualização das situações favoráveis e desfavoráveis que irão redirecionar planejamento e as ações de enfermagem. / Efforts to assure improvements at nursing quality assistance have been a challenge to nursing services. Management of nursing quality assistance added to nursing care auditorship represents a fundamental strategy to conquer safe nursing with quality. The aim of this study is to analyse quality indicators over nursing prescription making from the neonatal intensive care of the Northern Paraná University Hospital, from 2001 to 2003. It is a descriptive study that made use of the quantitative method and theoric referencial of retrospective auditorship. The analysed data come from 10 trimester reports of nursing quality assistance avaliation, which constitutes retrospective auditorship of nursing prescriptions on patients’ records. Finally, although the nurses know how to fill in the nursing prescription and believe in the assistance systematization, the established patterns to provide good quality to the prescription were not reached in any of the reports. The highest indicator was Not Filled with 47.7%, followed by Full adding up 34.2%, Incomplete summed up 14.6% and finally Incorrect accounted for 1.7%. The highest amounts of Not Filled items were about cientific knowledge as well as critical and clinical thinking capacity. The items grading whether the prescription was made by the nurse that admitted the patient and if the time was correctly displayed presented 4.7% and 7.4% respectively, which is a concern considering that the acceptable rate should be 0%. Quality control proved to be a precious instrument of assistance practice providing the visualization of favorable and unfavorable situations that will redirect planning and nursing auditorship.

Tem-se como objetivo geral descrever e analisar as etapas percorridas para implantação do processo de avaliação da qualidade da assistência de enfermagem desenvolvido em um hospital universitário público. E como objetivos específicos, descrever a implementação do Programa de Qualidade Total e analisar os resultados das entrevistas, da observação do ambiente e da auditoria nas anotações de enfermagem realizadas em 2002, com pacientes internados em uma unidade médico-cirúrgica masculina do referido hospital. Trata-se de um estudo descritivo que utilizou o método quantitativo e o referencial teórico sobre qualidade total, auditoria e acreditação hospitalar. Os dados analisados provêm das três etapas do processo de avaliação da qualidade da assistência de enfermagem que consistiu na realização de entrevistas com 20% dos pacientes internados; na observação do ambiente onde o paciente estava inserido, incluindo nessa etapa a realização do exame físico, verificando in loco se os cuidados checados na prescrição de enfermagem foram realizados; e na auditoria das anotações de enfermagem efetuada nos prontuários dos mesmos pacientes entrevistados. Todos os critérios utilizados para coletar e analisar as informações foram discutidos e elaborados com os enfermeiros. Conclui-se que a equipe de enfermagem dessa instituição implementou vários processos de trabalho, utilizando-se das ferramentas preconizadas nos princípios da Qualidade Total. As políticas de contenção de gastos implementas pelo governo estadual impediram a reposição de pessoal e retiraram alguns benefícios que o trabalhador de enfermagem já havia conquistado, provocando revoltas e, trazendo conseqüências na organização e na manutenção dos processos de trabalho. A análise nos relatórios da unidade médico-cirúrgica masculina, demonstrou que a equipe atingiu, na opinião do paciente, o índice de prestar uma assistência de enfermagem segura nos itens referentes à Higiene e Conforto Físico, Atividades Físicas, Sono e Repouso. Para os itens referentes à Segurança Física e Nutrição e Hidratação alcançou o nível de assistência adequada, mas para os itens de Eliminações e Necessidades Emocionais alcançou o índice de assistência limítrofe. Para os itens de Necessidades Espirituais e Sociais os indicadores foram para uma assistência sofrível, demonstrando a pequena atenção que a equipe presta a esses aspectos. A análise referente à observação do ambiente também demonstrou que a equipe alcançou níveis de assistência adequada nos itens de Eliminações e Utilização de Equipamentos. Para os itens Atividade Física, Segurança Física a classificação da assistência foi segura, enquanto que para os itens de Higiene e Conforto Físico a classificação da assistência permaneceu sempre limítrofe. Mas o índice mais crítico foi em relação ao item Oxigênio e Ventilação que sempre permaneceu em assistência sofrível. Quanto aos resultados das auditorias realizadas nas anotações de enfermagem observou-se que, embora a equipe apresentasse melhora no preenchimento dos impressos, nunca atingiu o padrão estabelecido. O modelo de controle de qualidade utilizado nesse estudo mostrou ser um instrumento valioso para identificar a qualidade da prática assistencial executada pela equipe. / The main goal of this study is to describe and analyze the stages that take place through the implementation of the evaluation process in nursing care assistance developed in a public university hospital. As specific goals, it describes the implementation of the Total Quality Program and analyses results of interviews, environment observations and auditing nurses’ notes made in 2002 concerning patients admitted at the male medical-surgical unit of a public university hospital. It is a descriptive study in which a qualitative method was used as well as the theoretical reference on the total quality, auditing and hospital accrediting. The analyzed data were obtained from the three stages of the evaluation process of nursing assistance which consisted of interviews with 20% of the hospital patients; observation of the environment where the patient was inserted, and within this stage also the performance of the physical exams by checking in loco whether the prescribed nursing care was carried out; and auditing the nurses’ notes made in the medical reports of the interviewed patients. The criteria used to collect and analyze the information were discussed and elaborated together with the nurses. The conclusion was that the nursing team of that institution has implemented several working processes using the tools recommended by the Total Quality principles. State Government spending restraints impeded personnel replacement and took off from the nursing workers some benefits already achieved, what caused revolt and difficulties to the maintenance of the working process within the organization. The analysis of the reports of the male medical-surgical unit has proved that, in the patients’ opinion, the nursing team has reached the levels of a safe nursing care as far as Hygiene, Physical Comfort, Physical Activities, Sleep and Rest items were concerned. The team reached the level of adequate care for Physical Safety, Nutrition and Hydration items, although for the items Elimination and Emotional Needs the team reached the minimum care level. Items such as Spiritual and Social Needs reached the level of sufferable care, revealing low attention of the team to these aspects. The analysis of the environment observation also indicated that the team has reached the level of an adequate care for items such as Elimination and Equipment Utilization. Physical Activities and Physical Safety Care were classified as safe. Hygiene and Physical Comfort items maintained the classification of minimum care. The most critical index was the item related to Oxygen and Ventilation which remained as sufferable. As far as the results of auditing of the nurses’ observations are concerned it was observed that although the team’s performance improved in filling the forms it has never reached the established pattern. The quality control model used in this study proved to be a valuable instrument to identify the quality of the services of the nursing team.

The subject of this thesis is called ?The influence of the middle nursing management on the nursing care quality?. The theoretical part focuses on head nurses, their preferred characteristics, skills, competencies, leadership styles and the way of implementing changes. The component of the theoretical part is also a description of the nursing care quality, and some ways how to achieve it. The practical part focuses on the influence of head nurses on the nursing care quality. For the processing the thesis has been used the combination of both qualitative and quantitative surveys. Our inquiry was conducted in the South-Bohemian hospitals and head nurses were the respondents. During the questioning survey and interviews we have managed to achieve all our pre-defined targets. Through the interviews we have managed to answer all given research questions. We found that all interviewed head nurses have the professional knowledge of the nursing management field. We identified ways of implementing changes to enhance the nursing care quality in practice. The head nurses stated, that nurses accept these changes after a presentation of professional arguments, and that the head nurses are led and supported during the introduction of the changes by top management. The head nurses, interviewed by us, believe that the adoption of changes to enhance the nursing care quality will help to increase the prestige of nursing and support the independence of this field. Based on the evaluation results of the survey we have identified the reluctance of nurses to learn new things as the most common problem in the implementation of changes.

Esforços para assegurar a melhoria da qualidade da assistência de enfermagem tem sido um desafio para os serviços de enfermagem. O controle de qualidade da assistência de enfermagem vinculado à auditoria dos cuidados de enfermagem representa uma estratégia fundamental na busca de uma enfermagem segura e com qualidade. O objetivo desse estudo é analisar os indicadores de qualidade da elaboração da prescrição de enfermagem da Unidade de Terapia Intensiva Neonatal do Hospital Universitário Regional do Norte do Paraná, no período de 2001 a 2003. Trata-se de um estudo descritivo, que utilizou o método quantitativo e o referencial teórico da auditoria retrospectiva. Os dados analisados provem dos 10 relatórios trimestrais da avaliação da qualidade de assistência de enfermagem, que se constitui na auditoria retrospectiva das prescrições de enfermagem efetuada nos prontuários dos pacientes. Conclui-se que embora os enfermeiros tenham conhecimento do manual de preenchimento da prescrição de enfermagem e acreditem na sistematização da assistência, os padrões estabelecidos para uma boa elaboração da prescrição não foram atingidos em nenhum dos relatórios. O indicador que atingiu maior escore, das prescrições avaliadas foi o Não Preenchido, com 47,7%, seguido do Completo com 34,2%, o Incompleto apresentando 14,6% e finalmente o Incorreto com um percentual de 1,7%. A maior concentração de itens Não Preenchidos estão naqueles que avaliam, de certa forma, os conhecimentos científicos bem como a capacidade de raciocínio clínico e crítico. Os itens que avaliam se a prescrição de enfermagem foi elaborada pelo enfermeiro que admitiu o paciente e se os horários foram prescritos de forma adequada apresentaram valores de 4,7% e 7,4% respectivamente, o que preocupa já que o valor aceitável para este indicador é 0%. O controle da qualidade da elaboração da prescrição de enfermagem demonstrou ser um valioso instrumento da prática assistencial possibilitando a visualização das situações favoráveis e desfavoráveis que irão redirecionar planejamento e as ações de enfermagem. / Efforts to assure improvements at nursing quality assistance have been a challenge to nursing services. Management of nursing quality assistance added to nursing care auditorship represents a fundamental strategy to conquer safe nursing with quality. The aim of this study is to analyse quality indicators over nursing prescription making from the neonatal intensive care of the Northern Paraná University Hospital, from 2001 to 2003. It is a descriptive study that made use of the quantitative method and theoric referencial of retrospective auditorship. The analysed data come from 10 trimester reports of nursing quality assistance avaliation, which constitutes retrospective auditorship of nursing prescriptions on patients’ records. Finally, although the nurses know how to fill in the nursing prescription and believe in the assistance systematization, the established patterns to provide good quality to the prescription were not reached in any of the reports. The highest indicator was Not Filled with 47.7%, followed by Full adding up 34.2%, Incomplete summed up 14.6% and finally Incorrect accounted for 1.7%. The highest amounts of Not Filled items were about cientific knowledge as well as critical and clinical thinking capacity. The items grading whether the prescription was made by the nurse that admitted the patient and if the time was correctly displayed presented 4.7% and 7.4% respectively, which is a concern considering that the acceptable rate should be 0%. Quality control proved to be a precious instrument of assistance practice providing the visualization of favorable and unfavorable situations that will redirect planning and nursing auditorship.

By 2014 the NHS is expected to make �21 billion in efficiency savings and increase productivity by 6% per annum, while maintaining or improving the quality of care. Given that the cost of the 1.7 million strong workforce represents 60% of the NHS budget, changes are likely. This context of innovation and cost-effectiveness has resulted in an ever greater emphasis to fully engage and support community nursing.

Introduction Nursing is a independent scientific discipline with one main aim: maintain and support health of population. Nursing care is performed by skilled nurse using nursing techniques. Particular nursing techniques are always modified by current state of health and needs of patient. Together with other disciplines, also nursing must refect changes of the modern age. Nursing practice and theory lead to qualitative changes by implementing of evidence-based practice. Evidence-based practice in nursing is process connecting best nursing experience and expertise of nurses, which together determine the optimal care. Goals of the thesis To complete this thesis, three goals were determined. Firts goal was to find out, what was the source of particular nursing techniques performed by nurses. Second goal was to find out, if "good practise" was used when performing particular nursing techniques. Last goal was to fin out, what was the general knowedge of the "evidence based practise" phrase among nurses. Materials and methods Research investigation of the thesis was performed using the methods of qualitative and quantitative research. Quantitative research was perfefomed using the questionnaires distributed among general nurses working at inpatient wards. Results of research were evaluated using graphs and tables. Pearson´s chi square test was used for statistical processing. Qualitative research was executed using the direct observation method. Six different categories were set. Data were colected to record form, which was later on used for analysis of observed figures. Observation was focused on comprehensive hygienic care, divided into following categories: oral hygiene, care of hospital clothing, bathing of not self-sufficient patient, care of nails, skin and washing the hair. Results Results of the thesis allowed to clarify links between performing the hygiene care and evidence-based practise / good practise. These results can also be used as a contribution on coferences regarding this topic and as a material in teaching the nursing. Using the statistically preocessed data, hypotehsis were evaluated. H1: General nurses perform particular nuring techniques more based on habitual practise of their department than on local professional health care standards. H1 was confirmed. H2: General nurses perform particular nursing techniques more based on habitual practise of their department then on EBN. H2 was confirmed. H3: General nurses with the bachelors or masters degree have better awareness of EBN than nurses witout university degree. H3 was confirmed. Research question was asked - What is the role of EBN in particular nursing techniques? Observation study revealed that EBN is not of high importance in performing nursing hygiene care. Conclusion Thesis could highlight weaknesses in providing hygienic care and evidenced based nursing. It could also inspire all who perform their job with joy and respect and wish all the best for their patients. Last but not least, thesis could inspire all who want to provide fist-rate and safe care and leave the work with self-satisfaction.

The name and the topic of my thesis is evaluation of the quality of given nursing care. The quality of nursing care as integral part of quality of medical care is gaining ground not only in medics but also in public. Words like quality, standard, audit are commonly used by every nurse but do they know meaning of separate words? Do they know how to ensure high-quality care and how to evaluate it? These and other questions must be answered in order to retrieve possible insufficiencies and thus, to ensure high-quality nursing care. That´s why I chose this topic for my thesis. Theoretical part first characterizes nursing, its aims and organization of nursing care. Extensive part is devoted to quality of nursing care, systems and models to ensure and evaluate the quality. Practical part is focused on research and its interpretation. There were two research units and were created by nurses from surgical wards of Hospital in České Budějovice and Hospital in Jihlava. In order to collect needed data I chose quantitative method, when the way of data collecting was questionnaire. The aim of the thesis was to chart nurses´ knowledge on evaluation of quality of given nursing care through two hypotheses. The hypothesis supposing that nurses working in Hospital České Budějovice know more about evaluation of quality of given nursing care than nurses working in Hospital Jihlava was confirmed. But it is evident from the results that both investigated units have certain reserves. The other hypothesis supposing that more than 80% nurses consider the audits helpful for improving the quality of nursing care was not confirmed. According to the results, for more than half of addressed nurses audit is only stressing matter when hospital management looks for faults in their work. I mean, this opinion results from insufficient knowledge or incorrect understanding of the audit sense. I would like to use the thesis and its results as a base for creating scientific lectures and subsequent presentation. The head nurse asked me to present my thesis and the results at the meeting of head nurses in autumn 2008. I was asked for the results by Jihlava Hospital management as well.

Proper nutrition is essential for every human being, whether healthy or sick. Nutrition is, according to associate docent Kohout, one of the areas that is most neglected in health and social facilities in the Czech Republic. Standardized nutritional care should be established in all hospitals, representing a comprehensive nutritional and qualified solution for clients/patients. The standardized nutritional care involves systematic assessment of nutritional status of a client/patient and a search for clients/patients at nutritional risk. It further includes an appropriate diet according to the needs and capabilities of a client/patient and timely provision of adequate nutritional support to clients/patients who were identified as nutritionally at risk. Finally, standardized nutritional care also includes monitoring and documenting the effects of nutritional therapy, because the effect of individual measures cannot be monitored without proper documentation. The objective is to monitor the process of identification, evaluation and implementation of actions to ensure nutritional care in selected medical facilities from the perspective of the senior nursing management. Another objective is to map how significant quality indicator this is and what problems are seen in creating and maintaining a standard situation. Data collection was carried out by an interviewing technique using questionnaires. Respondents were from hospitals in the Czech Republic where we addressed the members of their senior nursing management. H1 ``The hospitals use established control mechanisms to find out about the nutritional status of compliance with established standards of nutritional care{\crqq} has been confirmed. H2 ``Nutritional screening is performed by nurses on all clients/patients at reception{\crqq} has been confirmed. H3 ``Nutritional screening during hospitalization is repeated only in clients/patients at risk{\crqq} has been confirmed. H4 ``Nurses develop nutritional screening within the cooperation of nurses with a nutritional therapist in the provision of standardized nutrition care{\crqq} has been confirmed, and H5 ``The results of nutritional screening are used by nurses as the basis for the saturation of clients{\crq}/patients{\crq} nutritional requirements{\crqq} has also been confirmed. The second objective was to map how significant quality indicator this is and what problems are seen in creating and maintaining a standard situation. The performance of nutritional screening has become the second most important quality indicator according to the research. As for the problems seen by respondents in relation to creating and maintaining a standard situation, it can be said, on the basis of the research results, that the biggest problems in creating and maintaining a standard situation is the lack of personnel, economic demands and approach of the personnel, their reluctance and disinterest. We attempted to explore the process of identification, evaluation and implementation of actions to ensure nutritional care in selected medical facilities from the perspective of the senior nursing management and then, based the results, to suggest ways of potential improvement of the current situation in the field of clients{\crq}/patients{\crq} nutrition.