Nursing Minimum Datasets in Long-Term Care Settings: Scoping Review.

Background: Standardized and structured data collection is necessary in the health care sector to advance nursing research, enable the comparison of practice-based data, and optimize the potential of technological innovations and digitalization. This can be supported by nursing minimum datasets (NMDSs). Objective: This scoping review aims to present the state of research on NMDSs in long-term care settings. Methods: Articles addressing NMDSs in long-term care published in the PubMed, CINAHL, Embase, or Digital Bibliography & Library Project databases up to September 2024 were included. Additionally, forward and backward citation tracking and manual searches of original records were conducted. All types of articles were included, with no time limit, and the articles had to be in English or German. The selected sources were screened and evaluated in a double-review process. Evaluation was carried out using a qualitative content analysis approach, supplemented by inductive and model-based categorization, and concluded with a final narrative synthesis. Results: A total of 36 sources covering 9 NMDS projects or initiatives were included. Most of the included articles (15/36, 42%) were published between 2004 and 2015. The United States accounted for the largest share (16/36, 44%) of the country of origin. The topic of NMDSs has gained more relevance in recent years, with 5 sources from 2022 to 2024 being found. Most publications were overview articles (15/36, 42%), followed by reviews and discussion papers (5/36, 14% each), highlighting the literature's predominantly conceptual and discursive focus. Various types of NMDSs were identified, including country-specific, topic-specific, and international adaptations of the US NMDS systems. The content of the NMDSs could be categorized as patient, interpersonal, or institutional data. The most comprehensive information is available on the US NMDS. Many initiatives were described but few have been developed or are currently in use. The literature included recommendations at the clinical, scientific, and administrative levels, emphasizing standardization, stakeholder involvement, and using NMDS data to improve care practices and policies. Conclusions: NMDS initiatives are becoming increasingly important in the context of digitalization, demographic change, and legislative developments, especially in Europe. Existing NMDSs primarily focus on patient data, and nursing interventions, outcomes, and the perspectives of individuals in need of care have so far received little attention. A lack of standardized descriptions and scientifically usable content hinders comparability and further development, underscoring the need for legal frameworks and stronger involvement from health care practitioners and researchers.