SAQA All qualifications and part qualifications registered on the National Qualifications Framework are public property. Thus the only payment that can be made for them is for service and reproduction. It is illegal to sell this material for profit. If the material is reproduced or quoted, the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) should be acknowledged as the source.
SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED UNIT STANDARD THAT HAS PASSED THE END DATE: 

Implement and evaluate planned nursing care to achieve identified patient outcomes 
SAQA US ID UNIT STANDARD TITLE
252093  Implement and evaluate planned nursing care to achieve identified patient outcomes 
ORIGINATOR
SGB Nursing 
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY
-  
FIELD SUBFIELD
Field 09 - Health Sciences and Social Services Preventive Health 
ABET BAND UNIT STANDARD TYPE PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL CREDITS
Undefined  Regular  Level 5  Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L5  16 
REGISTRATION STATUS REGISTRATION START DATE REGISTRATION END DATE SAQA DECISION NUMBER
Passed the End Date -
Status was "Reregistered" 		 2018-07-01  2023-06-30  SAQA 06120/18 
LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT
2024-06-30   2027-06-30  

In all of the tables in this document, both the pre-2009 NQF Level and the NQF Level is shown. In the text (purpose statements, qualification rules, etc), any references to NQF Levels are to the pre-2009 levels unless specifically stated otherwise.  

This unit standard does not replace any other unit standard and is not replaced by any other unit standard. 

PURPOSE OF THE UNIT STANDARD 
This unit standard will be useful for people working as clinically focused, service orientated, independent, registered staff nurses, who are able to render basic care to persons with stable and uncomplicated general health problems, as determined by the appropriate legislative framework.

This unit standard will recognise the essential knowledge and skills required to implement and evaluate planned nursing care, and to facilitate activities of daily living of individuals and groups.

People credited with this unit standard are able to:
  • Initiate, direct and participate in the provision of nursing care.
  • Create an enabling environment.
  • Monitor response to illness and interventions, and evaluate progress towards expected outcomes.
  • Document interventions and progress of client status.
  • Evaluate and revise care plans. 
    		•

    LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
    The credit calculation is based on the assumption that learners are already competent in terms of the following outcomes or areas of learning when starting to learn towards this unit standard:
  • ID 252098: Use communication skills to establish and maintain supportive relationships.
  • Communication and Maths Literacy skills at NQF Level 4.
  • Health assessment and development of care plans. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD RANGE 
    Specific range statements are provided in the body of the unit standard where they apply to particular specific outcomes or assessment criteria.

    The following scope and context applies to the whole unit standard:
  • Nurses will function within the scope of practice of a nurse as formulated by the SANC and the Nursing Act. 
    		•

    Specific Outcomes and Assessment Criteria: 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 1 
    Create an enabling environment. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The conditions for a therapeutic environment are identified and explained with reference to their role in the healing process. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Therapeutic environment includes:
  • Safety; comfort; familiarity; decreased anxiety.
     
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Quality assurance and risk management strategies directed at creating a therapeutic environment are identified and reviewed for their effectiveness. The review establishes the degree of compliance with strategies. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Tools used to identify actual and potential risks are appropriate to the context and consistent with institutional quality assurance and risk management strategies. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Therapeutic substances are administered safely, in accordance with institutional quality assurance and risk management strategies. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    Procedures implemented for infection control are effective and timeous, and comply with institutional quality assurance and risk management strategies. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 6 
    Conditions which detract from a therapeutic environment are identified and changed or corrected to comply with institutional quality assurance and risk management strategies and current legislation. Changes beyond own scope are referred to appropriate authorities. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 2 
    Initiate, direct and participate in the provision of nursing care. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Implementation requirements for particular nursing plans are accurately determined with respect to objectives, and planned interventions and resources to meet those objectives. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Resources include:
  • Physical resources; multi-disciplinary team; external expertise; community; self.
     
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Own role in the implementation of the plan is established in terms of responsibilities, expectations and direct interventions. Referral options are identified where requirements are beyond own scope of competence. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Participants in the health care plan are mobilised and ensured to be carrying out their roles and meeting responsibilities in accordance with the provisions of the plan and accepted best practice. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Own duties and responsibilities are carried out on time and in a manner that is consistent with the plan, complies with institutional quality standards, and meets the requirements of nursing care. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    The progress of the patient is monitored against the health care objectives, and changes to the plan, as required, are appropriate in terms of those objectives and the current health status of the patient. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 6 
    Changes to the plan are implemented with the full consent of patient and/or carers. The explanation for the changes is supported by evidence, and appropriate to the language and conceptual levels of those involved. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 7 
    Consultation in the event of adverse effects or unexpected consequences is appropriate and inclusive in terms of expertise and authority. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 8 
    The implementation process, including deviations from the plan, is documented and stored securely in accordance with institutional requirements. Documentation is available on request to authorised persons. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 3 
    Monitor response to illness and interventions, and evaluate progress towards expected outcomes. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Monitoring of health care plans is appropriate to the type and phase of illness and the system affected. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Monitoring results in accurate and up to date information on the condition of the patient/s under own care. Information is provided verbally on request from authorised persons. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Monitoring mechanisms are appropriate to the context and condition of the patient, and consistent with accepted practice. Mechanisms establish patient's response to interventions and progress towards health care objectives. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Mechanisms include:
  • Taking vital signs; establishing level of consciousness; assessment methodologies (neurological/psychological/physical/laboratory results/other tests); observations.
     
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Interpretations of the monitoring process and general condition are accurate and consistent with recorded and observed data. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    Treatments administered are correct in terms of the plan, and given on time as stipulated. Treatments are recorded as required by the institution. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 6 
    Significant changes in the status of the patient are recognised from presented evidence, documented and timeously reported. Adjustments to care plans are based on observed changes in health status. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 4 
    Document interventions and progress of client status. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Record keeping is accurate and up to date, and accurately reflects the current health status of the patient. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Information is complete, detailed and in the format required by the institution. Information is securely stored and available on request to authorised persons. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Reports, where required, are made on time, via specified channels, to the agreed persons. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 5 
    Evaluate and revise care plans. 
    OUTCOME RANGE 
    Plans are dynamic, and change with the changing health status of the patient. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Review processes established are specific, include measurable criteria, are realistic, and scheduled for dates agreed with all members of the team. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Information gathered includes all key sources and is collated for review purposes, as scheduled in organisational quality procedures. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Interventions are reviewed in terms of viability, sustainability, cost effectiveness and benefit to the patient. Weaknesses and strengths are documented for update purposes. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Interventions are adjusted in response to the review process and designed to improve the effectiveness of the intervention and its benefit to the patient. 


    UNIT STANDARD ACCREDITATION AND MODERATION OPTIONS 
    Accreditation Options:
  • Providers of learning towards this unit standard will need to meet the accreditation requirements of the relevant ETQA.

    Moderation Option:
  • The moderation requirements of the relevant ETQA must be met in order to award credit to learners for this unit standard. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD ESSENTIAL EMBEDDED KNOWLEDGE 
    The following essential embedded knowledge will be assessed through assessment of the specific outcomes in terms of the stipulated assessment criteria. Candidates are unlikely to achieve all the specific outcomes, to the standards described in the assessment criteria, without knowledge of the listed embedded knowledge. This means that for the most part, the possession or lack of the knowledge can be directly inferred from the quality of the candidate's performance. Where direct assessment of knowledge is required, assessment criteria have been included in the body of the unit standard.
  • Application of knowledge and skills of the psychosocial strategies.
  • Understanding and application of fundamental bio-psycho-social concepts underlying nursing interventions for patients of all age groups. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD DEVELOPMENTAL OUTCOME 
    N/A 

    UNIT STANDARD LINKAGES 
    N/A 


    Critical Cross-field Outcomes (CCFO): 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO IDENTIFYING 
    Identify and solve problems and make decisions using critical and creative thinking.

    Note: Identifying and implementing health care solutions implies problem-solving and effective decision making. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO WORKING 
    Work effectively with others as members of a team, group, organisation or community.

    Note: Health care provision is team based. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO ORGANISING 
    Organise and manage themselves and their activities responsibly and effectively.

    Note: Implementing health care requires effective organisation. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO COLLECTING 
    Collect, analyse, organise and critically evaluate information.

    Note: Central to monitoring and evaluation components. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO COMMUNICATING 
    Communicate effectively, using visual, mathematical and/or language skills in the modes of oral and/or written presentations.

    Note: Core competence. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO SCIENCE 
    Use science and technology effectively and critically showing responsibility towards the environment and health of others.

    Note: Used in assessment and monitoring. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO DEMONSTRATING 
    Demonstrate an understanding of the world as a set of related systems by recognising that problem-solving contexts do not exist in isolation.

    Note: Body as a system; part of the broader health care system. 

    UNIT STANDARD ASSESSOR CRITERIA 
    N/A 

    REREGISTRATION HISTORY 
    As per the SAQA Board decision/s at that time, this unit standard was Reregistered in 2012; 2015. 

    UNIT STANDARD NOTES 
    Notes to Assessors:

    Assessors should keep the following general principles in mind when designing and conducting assessments against this unit standard:
  • Focus the assessment activities on gathering evidence in terms of the main outcome expressed in the title to ensure assessment is integrated rather than fragmented. Remember we want to declare the person competent in terms of the title. Where assessment at title level is unmanageable, then focus assessment around each specific outcome, or groups of specific outcomes.
  • Make sure that evidence is gathered across the entire range, wherever it applies. Assessment activities should be as close to the real performance as possible, and where simulations or role-plays are used, there should be supporting evidence to show the candidate is able to perform in the real situation.
  • Do not focus the assessment activities on each assessment criterion. Rather make sure the assessment activities focus on outcomes and are sufficient to enable evidence to be gathered around all the assessment criteria.
  • The assessment criteria provide the specifications against which assessment judgements should be made. In most cases, knowledge can be inferred from the quality of the performances, but in other cases, knowledge and understanding will have to be tested through questioning techniques. Where this is required, there will be assessment criteria to specify the standard required.
  • The task of the assessor is to gather sufficient evidence, of the prescribed type and quality, as specified in this unit standard, that the candidate can achieve the outcomes again and again and again. This means assessors will have to judge how many repeat performances are required before they believe the performance is reproducible.
  • All assessments should be conducted in line with the following well documented principles of assessment: appropriateness, fairness, manageability, integration into work or learning, validity, direct, authentic, sufficient, systematic, open and consistent.

    The following particular issues should be taken into consideration when assessing against this unit standard:
  • Formative: The SANC guidelines are used as a reference for clinical competence. A variety of assessment strategies and/or approaches integrating theory and practice must be used. These could be tests, assignments, projects, demonstrations, and/or clinical assessments or any other applicable assessment.
  • Summative: This can take a form of oral, written or practical assessments as agreed to with the relevant ETQA.

    Definition of Terms:

    Terms have been clarified as far as possible through the use of range statements. Further clarification of terms is provided as follows:
  • The terms "patient" and "health care user" are used interchangeably in this unit standard. The term patient is used internationally, and the term health care user is used in the Nursing Act 33 of 2005, as well as the National Health Act 61 of 2003. 
    		•

    QUALIFICATIONS UTILISING THIS UNIT STANDARD: 
      ID QUALIFICATION TITLE PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL STATUS END DATE PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QA FUNCTIONARY
    Core  59236   National Diploma: Nursing  Level 5  NQF Level 05  Passed the End Date -
    Status was "Reregistered"     		 2020-07-30  As per Learning Programmes recorded against this Qual 
    Fundamental  59257   Bachelor of Nursing  Level 7  NQF Level 08  Passed the End Date -
    Status was "Reregistered"     		 2023-06-30  As per Learning Programmes recorded against this Qual 


    PROVIDERS CURRENTLY ACCREDITED TO OFFER THIS UNIT STANDARD: 
    This information shows the current accreditations (i.e. those not past their accreditation end dates), and is the most complete record available to SAQA as of today. Some Primary or Delegated Quality Assurance Functionaries have a lag in their recording systems for provider accreditation, in turn leading to a lag in notifying SAQA of all the providers that they have accredited to offer qualifications and unit standards, as well as any extensions to accreditation end dates. The relevant Primary or Delegated Quality Assurance Functionary should be notified if a record appears to be missing from here.
     
    NONE 


    All qualifications and part qualifications registered on the National Qualifications Framework are public property. Thus the only payment that can be made for them is for service and reproduction. It is illegal to sell this material for profit. If the material is reproduced or quoted, the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) should be acknowledged as the source.