[Pediatric Patient Classification System: construction and validation of care categories].

Patient classification is essential for managing a hospital unit. Literature, however, does not present conceptualizations of pediatric patient categories. The objectives of this study were to define and validate pediatric patient care categories, according to the level of dependency of the nursing team. The care categories were defined based on a literature review, and the content of the proposed categories was validated by a group of judges involved in managing and providing care in a pediatric unit, and by judges involved in pediatric education and research as well as in the construction of patient instruments. Five care categories were established and validated: Minimal, Intermediate, High dependency, Semi-intensive and Intensive. The validation of the care categories were the basis for constructing a system for the classification of pediatric patients, that may contribute with the decision making process of nurses working in management and health care.