Question

Which of the following statements has all of the necessary criteria for a well-written outcome?

a. Patient will consume 50% of meals with no nausea and vomiting by 24 hours postsurgery.
b. Therapist will report improvement in patients range of motion on a daily basis.
c. Patient will ambulate in the halls a little today.
d. Patients condition will improve before discharge.

Answer 1

Option a provides a SMART outcome, detailing the patient's expected behavior, measurable goal, achievability, relevance, and specific time frame for post-surgical recovery, which is essential for effective healthcare intervention evaluation.

Step-by-step explanation:

Among the provided statements, option a. Patient will consume 50% of meals with no nausea and vomiting by 24 hours postsurgery has all of the necessary criteria for a well-written outcome. This is characterized by its specificity, measurability, achievability, relevance, and time-bound nature, often abbreviated as SMART criteria. It specifies a particular behavior (eating), a measurable outcome (50% of meals), an achievable goal (no nausea and vomiting), is highly relevant to post-surgical care, and includes a timeframe (by 24 hours postsurgery).

Options b and d lack specificity and measurability, whereas option c provides no clear metric or timeframe. A well-written outcome in a healthcare setting is crucial for evaluating the efficacy of interventions, setting expectations for patient recovery, and facilitating communication among healthcare professionals.