Patient requirements for nursing care: the development of an instrument.

The determination of nursing staff mix is a challenge for many health care agencies. Staff mix decisions have historically been based on workload measurement information, the type of patient care unit and on a subjective or intuitive basis. Weighted task lists (workload measurement systems) do not comprehensively consider the skill and knowledge level required to meet patient care needs. This project describes the development of an instrument that considers patient's nursing care needs as a determinant of nursing staff mix. Recommendations for the use of the tool are identified.