Evaluating the quality of organization of nursing activities is essential to improve hospital care delivery. The aim of this pilot study was to develop and test a tool for measuring this aspect of quality of care. A working group developed an assessment instrument by identifying thirteen items to be evaluated and their relevant criteria, indicators, standards and methods of evaluation. The instrument was tested in eight wards of the S. Giovanni Bosco Hospital in Turin (Italy) and, on the basis of assessment results, the working group designed interventions for improvement. The assessment instrument tested was found to be user -friendly and shown to be an effective tool for evaluating the organizational quality of care in a standardized and repeatable manner, and for highlighting areas of concern and identifying possible solutions for improvement.