Emergency department patient classification systems: a systematic review
Williams, Susan and Crouch, Robert (2006) Emergency department patient classification systems: a systematic review. Accident and Emergency Nursing, 14, (3), 160-170. (doi:10.1016/j.aaen.2006.06.002).
Download
Full text not available from this repository.
Description/Abstract
Background
The emergency department is a dynamic environment with a high throughput of patients. The clinical stability of patients varies considerably. In order to provide optimal care for patients a responsive staffing pattern is required. There is a need for a valid and reliable, prospective, emergency department patient classification system to set adequate nurse staffing levels in the UK.
Aims and objectives
To conduct a systematic review of the literature and determine the validity, reliability, strengths and weaknesses of emergency department patient classification systems.
Methods
The following electronic databases were searched for years 1985–2004: MEDLINE; CINAHL; COCHRANE Library databases DARE, CDSR, CCTR, BioMedNet Reviews, National Research Register (NRR). Manual searches were also conducted and relevant references retrieved from those listed in key papers, reports, theses and dissertations. Studies were also retrieved by contacting researchers in the field.
Results
Twelve patient classification systems met all the inclusion criteria. Only three systems reported evidence of good validity and reliability: the ED Patient Needs Matrix developed in the US, the Conner’s Tool (a modified version of the ED Patient Needs Matrix) developed in Australia and the Jones Dependency Tool developed in the UK.
Conclusion
There are very few patient classification systems developed for use in the ED setting that have demonstrated good validity and reliability. The Jones Dependency Tool is a simple, easy to use prospective, patient classification system that has demonstrated good validity and reliability in the UK.
| Item Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| ISSNs: | 0965-2302 (print) |
| Related URLs: | |
| Keywords: | patient classification systems, patient dependency, emergency nursing, systematic review, patient care planning, workforce planning |
| Subjects: | R Medicine > RT Nursing H Social Sciences > HD Industries. Land use. Labor > HD28 Management. Industrial Management Z Bibliography. Library Science. Information Resources > ZA Information resources > ZA4450 Databases |
| Divisions: | University Structure - Pre August 2011 > Superseded (SONM) > Superseded (HSR) |
| Item ID: | 41446 |
| Date Deposited: | 08 Sep 2006 |
| Last Modified: | 02 Mar 2012 13:29 |
| Contributors: | Williams, Susan (Author) Crouch, Robert (Author) |
| Date: | July 2006 |
| Status: | Published |
| Contact Email Address: | Robert.Crouch@suht.swest.nhs.uk |
| URI: | http://eprints.soton.ac.uk/id/eprint/41446 |
Actions (login required)
![]() |
View Item |


