PurposeTo determine the accuracy of nursing diagnoses at hospital admission and discharge for patients with heart failure (HF).MethodsThis comparative study examined the documentation in 155 medical records of patients with an admitting diagnosis of HF during August 2018 and July 2019. An audit tool was used to record the diagnoses made by nurses during routine care at the time of admission and discharge. Two researchers (L.S. and A.C.) examined the records and evaluated the documented nursing diagnoses using the Nursing Diagnosis Accuracy Scale version 2. Kappa was used for agreement between them. Patient social and clinical characteristics were described using percentages, absolute frequencies, means, and standard deviations.FindingsA total of 18 unique nursing diagnoses were identified across the 155 patients. Among the 754 nursing diagnoses recorded, 85% of those identified at admission (n = 644) were deemed highly accurate. At discharge, of the 527 diagnoses recorded, 66% (n = 349) were rated as highly accurate. Excess fluid volume was the most common diagnosis (85% at admission, 49% at discharge). Three risk diagnoses were frequent at both points: risk for infection, risk for falls, and risk for decreased cardiac output. Agreement between evaluators ranged from Κ = 0.234 to 1.00.ConclusionsGreater agreement in nursing diagnoses at discharge likely reflects ongoing patient monitoring. Persistent diagnoses at discharge highlight the need for continued nursing care post-discharge.Implications for nursing practiceThis study encourages nurses to improve clinical evaluation for HF patients from admission to discharge. As key clinical indicators are identified, nurses can improve the accuracy of their diagnoses and plan more effective interventions to achieve positive health outcomes and reduce unnecessary hospitalization.