8/13/2019 Classification Categories of Patient

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CLASSIFICATION CATEGORIES OF PATIENT

The various units may develop their own ways of classifying patient care according to the acuity of

their patients illness.

LEVEL ISELF-CARE OR MINIMAL CARE

Patient can take a bath on his own, feed himself, feed and perform his activities o daily living. Falling

under this category are patients about to be discharge, those in non emergency, those newly admitted, do not

exhibit and/or instruction. Average amount of nursing care hours per patient per day is 1.5. Ratio of

professional to non-professional nursing personnel is 55:45.

LEVEL IIMODERATE CARE OR INTERMEDIATE CARE

Patients under this level need some assistance in bathing, feeding, or ambulating for short periods oftheir illness must have subsided or have not yet approved. Patients may have slightly emotional needs, with

vital signs ordered up to three times per shift, intravenous fluids or blood transfusion; are semi-conscious and

exhibiting some psychosocial or social problems; periodic treatments, and/or observation and/or instructions.

Average nursing care hours per patient per day is 3 and the ration of professional to non-professional

personnel is 60:40.

LEVEL IIITOTAL, COMPLETE OR INTENSIVE CARE

Patients under this category are completely dependent upon the nursing personnel. They are providedcomplete bath, are fed, may or may not be unconscious, with marked emotional needs, with vital signs more

than three times per shift, may be on continuous oxygen therapy, and with chest or abdominal tubes. They

require close observation at least every 30 minutes for impending hemorrhage, with hypotension or

hypertension and/or cardiac arrhythmia, the nursing care hours per patient per day is 6 with a professional to

non-professional ration of 65:35.

LEVEL IVHIGHLY SPECIALIZED CRITICAL CARE

Patients under this level need maximum nursing care with ration of 80 professional to 20 non-

professionals. Patients need continuous treatment and observation; with many medications, IV piggy back;

vital signs every 15-30 minutes; hourly output. There are significant changes in doctors orders and care hours

per patient per day may range from 6-9 or more, and the ratio of professionals to non-professionals also range

from 70:3080:20.