Exploring the Association between Complexity of Care, Medical Complexity, and Length of Stay in the Paediatric Setting Using a Nursing Minimum Data Set: A Study Protocol

Abstract

Background/Objectives: The complexity of care requires systematic documentation to fully understand its relationship with medical complexity and its impact on patient outcomes. The Nursing Minimum Data Set (NMDS) plays a crucial role by capturing essential nursing data, enabling a detailed analysis of care and its impact on outcomes, such as length of stay (LOS). However, despite its potential, the use of NMDS in paediatric care remains limited. This study aims to explore the association between nursing and medical complexities and LOS in paediatric patients. Methods: A descriptive, retrospective, monocentric study will be conducted. The data will be collected through a nursing information system (Professional Assessment Instrument (PAIped)) and the hospital discharge register of patients admitted to the paediatric department in 2022 in an Italian university hospital. Conclusions and Expected Results: The use of PAIped will allow for the description of the complexity of care and enable an analysis of its relationship with medical complexity and LOS.