An urgent need exists in Thailand (as elsewhere in theworld) for data that link nursing interventions andpatient outcomes. This information is critically impor-tant so that nursing care is evidence-based to ensurepatients receive the best possible outcomes. In addi-tion, such information is also important to policy-makers and consumers to assist them in makinginformed decisions regarding resources.Measurements of quality of care will provide muchneeded information to ensure that the citizens of Thai-land receive quality nursing care. The nursing shortage,coupled with the escalating cost of health care, createsmounting pressure to replace nurses with lesser-skilledstaff or to leave vacant positions unfilled. There isgrowing concern that, if such actions are taken seri-ously, they will affect the quality of nursing care pro-vided in Thailand.In 2001, the government of Thailand introduced anew constitution, which includes provisions for humanrights. A Bill of Rights for Patients, which includes theright of the patient to receive quality health care, wasdeveloped by the five Councils of Medical Science.Therefore, the measurement of quality of care might