A patient classification system for the chronic psychiatric patient.

Classification of chronic psychiatric patients to determine staffing needs is an emerging issue confronting many psychiatric nurses. This paper follows the development of a patient classification system for chronic psychiatric patients in the United States. Few tools are available and those cited in the literature tend to report minimal validity and reliability and lack applicability to the setting or for the purpose desired. The tool demonstrated use and acceptance by nurses and was found to meet the comprehensive needs of patients it was designed to serve.