Abstract
Objectives. The aim of thepaper is to presentpatient classification (PCS) methods used in nursing staff planning in psychiatric units.
Views. The use of PCS methods allows to provide nursing care appropriately to patients' needs, and ensures proper staff management. The methods assume that care reąuirements are variable and depend on the illness specificity, the patient 's condition, age and self-care capability. The approach provides for a variable number of nursing staff in different organizational units, and within the same facility on day and night shifts. If PCM methods are to be applied in other settings than those for which they have been originally designed, particular elements of the method including criteria and categories of care, direct nursing time and auxiliary time standards have to be adjusted to the organizational conditions and health care level in the target country. In the domestic healthcare system PCS methods were adjusted to the needs of patients receiving non-invasive or surgical treatment, but not to those of persons with mental disorders.
Concłusions. Since a more effective management of health care facilities is needed, managers should use appropriate staff planning methods so that the number of staff was consistent with the actual care needs. The PCS methods are appropriate to the purpose. However, their application reąuires that they should be adapted to organizational conditions and the current state of the national healthcare system, including psychiatry.