Patient Classification and Nursing Staff Dimensioning in a Pediatric Inpatient Unit

Abstract

Objective: to describe the implementation of the Patient Classification System and the dimensioning of the nursing staff in a pediatric inpatient unit. Method: a descriptive, cross-sectional, and retrospective study, carried out at a university hospital in the Midwest of Brazil. After the implementation of the Pediatric Patient Classification System, we compiled data from the classifications of the level of care complexity (N=4,639) among patients (n=608) admitted from January to December 2019. Descriptive statistical analysis was employed, including proprietary methodology for staff sizing. Results: there was a prevalence of intermediate care patients. According to the staff dimensioning, there was a surplus (+10) of mid-level workers, and the projected number of nurses (six) was compatible with the available number. Conclusion: the strategic implementation/employment of the Patient Classification System was indispensable for the pediatric nursing staffing forecast, considering that the staffing surplus found should be appreciated with caution.

Comparison of Nursing dependency levels and sizing between clinical and surgical inpatient units

“…1 In order to maintain the nursing workload at functional levels, the professional staff must be aligned with the demand for tasks; therefore, sizing is an important tool for maintaining the quality of care and patient safety, but it does not dispense with the nurses' critical look at the distribution and equation of activities in the management of care. 27 Bringing this allusion to the findings of this study, it is clear that looking at the demand for hours, the occupancy rate, the classification rate, and the staff projection itself are the basis for more assertive decision-making, but they do not invalidate the view of nurses who work directly in the labor dynamics of the clinical and surgical sectors. Nursing dependency level and sizing Oliveira JLC, Rodrigues NH, Acosta AM, Ribeiro RG, Mergen T, Silva AR Based on the demand for nursing hours and the application of the PCS, the sizing of only one surgical unit (unit A) required the distribution of 33% of the nurses in the team, due to the greater demand for intermediate care.…”

Repercusiones de la movilización de pacientes sobre el contexto de práctica: perspectivas del equipo de enfermería

“…Varios estudios corroboran la problemática de la escasez de personal (5,(20)(21) y de otros recursos (5,(22)(23) en la transición de cuidados intrahospitalarios. También se identifica la permanencia de pacientes con mayor complejidad de cuidados en unidades de internación en otros escenarios del país (24)(25)(26) . Esta demanda genera sobrecarga al equipo de enfermería.…”

Repercussões da movimentação de pacientes sobre o contexto de prática: perspectivas da equipe de enfermagem

“…Diversos estudos corroboram a problemática da escassez de pessoal (5,(20)(21) e dos demais recursos (5,(22)(23) na transição de cuidados intra-hospitalares. Identificase, também, a permanência de pacientes com maior complexidade de cuidados em unidades de internação em outros cenários, no país (24)(25)(26) . Essa demanda gera sobrecarga à equipe de enfermagem.…”