In May, 2000, Boykin launched a funded study to examine the potential of the theory of Nursing as Caring to enhance the achievement of quality outcomes in acute care settings. This two-year demonstration project and evaluation study involves specifying quality indicators and targeting benchmarks prior to introducing the theory as the nursing practice framework in the acute care division of a community hospital. On-site guidance and consultation in the use of the theory will be available during the course of the project. Post-program evaluation will focus on quality indicators and benchmarks relating to patient and staff satisfaction, family and community support, and cost-benefit care ratios. THE THEORY OF NURSING AS CARING AS A CONCEPTUAL FRAME FOR MIDDLE-RANGE THEORIES A theory that describes or explains a limited range of situations. Locsin (1995) developed a model of the harmonious relation between technology and caring in nursing. Further development of the model led to a theory of technological competence as caring in critical care nursing (Locsin, 1998). The mediating factors between application of technology and caring in nursing are posited as intentionality and authentic presence. The underlying theoretical framework draws on the theory of Nursing as Caring, and particularly the focus of nursing as knowing and thus nurturing the other as caring person. The intention to know the other as caring person is actualized through direct knowing as well as through the medium of technologically produced data. The intention to care, to nurture the other as caring, is expressed in interpersonal ways as well as in technological competence.