title: Patient classification systems and staffing. Part 1, Problems and promise.
abstract: How can nurse executives ensure flexible staffing to meet rapidly changing patient care requirements? Part 1 of this two-part series offers a new way to conceptualize and evaluate current methods of staffing with patient classification systems (PCS). Advantages and disadvantages of each PCS-driven staffing method are explored, and implications for nurse executives are examined. A promising new method of PCS-related staffing will be described further and implementation strategies will be discussed in Part 2.
authors.affiliation: Catalyst Systems, Novato.
authors.forename: H A
authors.initials: HA
authors.lastname: DeGroot
mesh_terms: D005069:Evaluation Studies as Topic; D006801:Humans; D016294:Models, Nursing; D017146:Models, Organizational; D009718:Nurse Administrators; D009740:Nursing Staff / Q000600:supply & distribution*; D010361:Patients / Q000145:classification*; D010561:Personnel Staffing and Scheduling / Q000458:organization & administration*; D013996:Time and Motion Studies; D016526:Workload