Abstract
Objectives. To present the application of the theory of nursing care by Orem to the patient classification system in psychiatric facilities.
Views. The assessment of nursing care needs and staffing reąuirements constitutes an essential organizational problem in the nursing subsystem management. Medical care planning and delivery is facilitated by methods of planning staffing reąuirements known under a common heading of the Patient Classification Systems (PCS). An assumption is made in the PCS that staffing should be variable, appropriate to the real patient needs, and not allocated to particular units once and for all. The PCS application in psychiatry reąuires adaptation of the methods to the specificity of mental health careprovision, where basic care reąuirements encompass psychosocial and behavioralproblems and must be compatible with practice standards in particular settings. The application of a chosen theory of nursing care to a patient classification system provides a scientific rationale for professional practice and reflects the value of the theory.
Conclusions. Planning and delivery of nursing care in accordance with patient needs as well as adeąuate staffing estimation reąuire the application of PCS methods. Patient classification methods used in psychiatry must not only account for the specificity of care for this type ofpatients, but also be compatible with practice standards in the particular settings. Application of a nursing care theory provides grounds for good practice and management of the nursing profession.