[Patient classification systems. Nursing workload from the perspective of applied research (part 2)].
Building on the first part of the article, which described aims, forms and a new developed typology of Patient Classification Systems (PCS), the second part discusses three wrong assumptions that are often behind the application of common PCS. These assumptions deal mainly with indices of nursing care intensity for measuring of staff requirements and with patient characteristics (deficiencies and problems) in regard to the expenditure of time. Additional examinations show whether or not it is scientifically possible to express staff requirements on the basis of added up individual nursing activities. Data collected in several intensive care units by diagnosis related analysis of work activities (DTA) show that the distribution of expenditure of time for singular nursing activities does not result in meaningful arithmetic means usable for assessment instruments scheduling of personnel. Given these methodical constraints it should be examined with minuteness before the application of a PCS exactly which question should be answered by an instrument or method, and it should be examined whether the method is suitable for the question asked.
Isforth
Michael
M
Institut für angewandte Pflegeforschung, Köln. dip@dip.de
Brühl
Albert
A
D003365:Costs and Cost Analysis; D003422:Critical Care / Q000191:economics; D003953:Diagnosis-Related Groups / Q000145:classification* / Q000191:economics; D004471:Economics, Nursing / Q000145:classification; D005858:Germany; D006801:Humans; D015401:Nursing Administration Research; D009732:Nursing Care / Q000145:classification*; D009733:Nursing Diagnosis / Q000145:classification* / Q000191:economics; D009741:Nursing Staff, Hospital / Q000191:economics / Q000600:supply & distribution*; D010561:Personnel Staffing and Scheduling / Q000145:classification* / Q000191:economics; D017748:Time Management / Q000191:economics* / Q000458:organization & administration*; D000078329:Workforce