Development of Patient Classification System based on Nursing Intensity in Stroke Unit

Abstract

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to develop a patient classification system based on nursing care intensity for patients with acute stroke-related symptoms and verify its validity and reliability. Methods: Data were collected between November, 2013 and February, 2014. The verification for content validity of the patient classification system was conducted by a group of seven professionals. Both interrater reliability and concurrent validity were verified at stroke units in tertiary hospitals. Results: The intensive nursing care for acute stroke patients consisted of 14 classified domains and 56 classified contents by adding ‘neurological assessment and observation’ and ‘respiratory care’: ‘hygiene’, ‘nutrition’, ‘elimination’, ‘mobility and exercise’, ‘education or counselling’, ‘emotional support’, ‘communication’, ‘treatment and examination’, ‘medication’, ‘assessment and observation’, ‘neurological assessment and observation’, ‘respiratory care’, ‘coordination between departments’, and ‘discharge or transfer care’. Each domain was classified into four levels such as Class I, Class II, Class III, and ClassⅣ. Conclusion: The results show that this patient classification system has satisfactory validity for content and concurrent and verified reliability and can be used to accurately estimate the demand for nursing care for patients in stroke units.