Patient classification systems and staffing. Part 1, Problems and promise.

How can nurse executives ensure flexible staffing to meet rapidly changing patient care requirements? Part 1 of this two-part series offers a new way to conceptualize and evaluate current methods of staffing with patient classification systems (PCS). Advantages and disadvantages of each PCS-driven staffing method are explored, and implications for nurse executives are examined. A promising new method of PCS-related staffing will be described further and implementation strategies will be discussed in Part 2.