Computerization of patient acuity and nursing care planning. New approach to improved patient care and cost-effective staffing.

Patient classification systems are essential for nurse administrators to justify nursing staff and to project budget. To answer these needs effectively, a computerized patient classification system must be customized to existing physical and human resources within each health care facility. Nursing administrators at Riverside Medical Center met this need by developing a computerized patient classification system that integrates patient acuity with patient care plans and nursing diagnoses. Direct cost accounting of nursing care according to patient needs and outcomes can be justified by correlating this management and practice data.