Abstract
A tool was developed to measure outcomes for patients who were imminently dying when admitted to both inpatient and home care hospice settings. The specific area of concern to the hospice team was the dignity experienced by the patient and family during the dying process. The study took place over 2 years, from 2000 to 2002. The nursing-sensitive patient outcomes were selected from those developed by the University of Iowa College of Nursing. Ten outcome indicators were selected. Each indicator was given descriptors that were ranked on a scale from 1 to 5. The four most frequently measured outcomes improved significantly from time of admission until death. The Dignified Dying Outcome Tool provided a means for better understanding the care being provided to imminently dying patients as well as a measure for nursing staff to determine the outcomes of their interventions.