Purpose: The purpose of this research survey was to determine which Adult Critical Care Core Nursing Interventions (ACCCNIs) in the Nursing Interventions Classification constitutes a critical incident nursing intervention (CINI). A CINI is defined as any indirect or direct care registered nurse (RN)-initiated treatment performed in response to a life-threatening nursing diagnosis.
Methods: A list of ACCCNIs were sent to 50 critical care RNs in two survey rounds. Responses >80% for each ACCCNI was determined to be a CINI.
Findings: Forty-one ACCCNIs were determined to be CINIs.
Conclusions: It is recommended that CINIs be included as a separate Nursing Intervention Classification category to reflect current nursing practice.
Implications for nursing practice: CINIs can enhance RN competency, education, and vigilance, thereby preventing or decreasing the number of deaths that occur from critical incidents.