A classification system to meet today's needs

Patient classification systems hold the promise of providing nursing services with objective and scientific means to identify acuity levels and project staffing requirements. Nursing administrators have an obligation to base nurse staffing on objective documentation. To ensure the cooperation of nursing staff, they must make the classification system meaningful to staff and patient care goals. A classification system based on accurate and objective assessment of patient acuity levels will enable administrators to use their most valuable resource--their nursing staff--efficiently and effectively.