Patient Class

Approaches to Patient Classification
Patient Classification Systems (PCSs), which measure patients' needs for care
and care activities, have been used since the 1960s in hospitals as the basis of
workload monitoring systems that determine staffing. While these PCSs have
been criticized on a number of grounds (Gioventti & Mayer, 1984; Prescott,
1991), they can be helpful adjuncts to seasoned managers if they are
constructed and used appropriately. Systems developed for use with hospital
inpatients do not easily, or directly, transfer to the ambulatory setting as patient
needs and ambulatory care differ from inpatient care in important ways.
For example:
1. The usual patient visit is brief.
2. A single visit may involve multiple distinct encounters.
3. Care often is discontinuous with patients returning for visits at irregular
intervals.
4. Patients have widely different care needs from one visit to another.
5. Telephone management and screening are important dimensions of some
ambulatory services.
6. Many visits involve no specific medical treatments or procedures and have a
limited focus or purpose.
The IntelliChart Classification/Acuity System,provides hospitals with the ability to determine the
appropriate level of staffing on each unit of the hospital on a shift to shift basis. IntelliChart becomes the
vehicle to ensure the hospital is compliant with hospital mandated staffing plans and acuity measurement.
When combined with our consulting services, IntelliChart assists hospitals in meeting AONE guidelines
for patient acuity and staffing plan developement. It also meets standards set by legislation in Illinois and
California. IntelliChart is a comprehensive patient classification system that allows for:
More equitable staff assignments through the assignment module
Calculation of workload associated with admission/discharge/transfer activities
Patient classification on an actual and/or forecasting basis
Flexible unit or institutional-based reporting
Automatic transfer of staffing data to central staffing office
Demographic repository for all patient classification information
Real-time patient inventorying/logging
Flexibility to handle most classification/acuity methods (see classification system design services)
IntelliChart has provided hospitals and medical centers the following benefits:
Compliance with regulatory guidelines and staffing legislation
Reduction in overtime hours
Reduction in agency hours
Decrease in budget variances
Ability to communicate nursing judgement to financial leadership
Levels of Care
Acute Care
Hospice Care
Extended Acute Care
Retirement Centers
Rehabilitation Hospital
Senior Day Care Centers
Outpatient Rehabilitation Services
Home Health Care
Skilled Nursing Home Care
Home Medical Equipment
Intermediate Nursing Home Care
Extra Help in the Home
Acute Care - Deaconess Hospital is an

example of an acute care facility. Hospital
services are primarily used to stabilize a
medical condition using medication, surgery,
and/or other procedures. The length of
hospitalization depends on the severity of a
patient's illness or injury. Patients are
discharged when medical care can be
managed in a less acute setting
Level 0
Patients whose needs can be met through normal
ward care in an acute hospital.
Level 1
Patients at risk of their condition deteriorating, or
those recently relocated from
higher levels of care whose needs can be met on an
acute ward with additional
advice and support from the critical care team.
Level 2
Patients requiring more detailed observation or intervention
including support for
a single failing organ system or postoperative care, and those
stepping down
from higher levels of care.
Level 3
Patients requiring advanced respiratory support alone or basic
respiratory
support together with support of at least two organ systems. This
level included
all complex patients requiring support for multi-organ failure.
Extended Acute Care - This is a

continuation of hospital level care offered by
facilities like Select Specialty Hospital. It is
available to patients who require medical
care that is not available in a skilled care
facility. Average length of stay is 25 days.
Rehabilitation Hospital - A rehab hospital,

such as the HealthSouth
Deaconess Rehabilitation Hospital, also
offers a continuation of hospital level
care. Their focus is on rehabilitation services
such as physical therapy, occupational
therapy and speech therapy. Average length
of stay is around 18 days.
Outpatient Rehabilitation Deaconess Physical Medicine is an

outpatient rehabilitation provider offering
physical, occupational and speech therapies
to rehabilitate patients after an illness or
injury.
Skilled Nursing Home Care - This is a less

acute level of care. It is available for patients
requiring some skilled medical service
(physical therapy, speech therapy,
occupational therapy, IV therapy, wound care,
etc.) that cannot be given at home.
Intermediate Nursing Home Care - This is

for patients who require long-term care but
don't require the level of care provided by
skilled nursing home care.
Hospice Care - Hospice providers offer care to

patients who are facing a life-limiting illness
and seeking no further curative treatment.
Deaconess Hospice Care provides Hospice
Services in the patient's home, in a caregiver's
home, in a long-term care facility, or in the
Deaconess Hospice Care Center. The goal is to
control pain and unpleasant symptoms, while
providing families with the educational tools and
support necessary for quality end-of-life care.
Retirement Centers - These facilities

typically offer living quarters and meal
services for a standard fee. Assisted living
services may be provided by the facility or an
outside home health agency, such
as Deaconess Home Care, for an additional
fee. Assisted living services include help with
bathing, medication monitoring, and regular
safety checks, among other services.
Senior Day Care Centers - These programs

offer structured activities for seniors during
the day. One meal is typically included.
Home Health Care - Home health care

providers offer a variety of skilled nursing,
therapy and assisted living services at home.
The Deaconess Home Care team includes
nurses, physical therapists, occupational
therapists, speech therapists and social
workers. They provide care in the comfort
of home with the goal of returning patients
to their previous level of health.
Home Medical Equipment - These

providers, including Deaconess Home
Medical Equipment and Infusion
Services, provide durable medical equipment
and IV services to patients at home. They
offer hospital beds, bedroom accessories,
bathroom aids, mobility equipment,
respiratory and oxygen supplies, and more.
Extra Help in the Home - Many individuals

benefit from help with housework, meal
preparation and other light duties. Families
may find a reliable person to offer this
service, or they may get help from a home
health agency such as Deaconess Home
Care.

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Approaches to Patient Classification

Acute Care - Deaconess Hospital is an

Extended Acute Care - This is a

Rehabilitation Hospital - A rehab hospital,

Outpatient Rehabilitation Deaconess Physical Medicine is an

Skilled Nursing Home Care - This is a less

Intermediate Nursing Home Care - This is

Hospice Care - Hospice providers offer care to

Retirement Centers - These facilities

Senior Day Care Centers - These programs

Home Health Care - Home health care

Home Medical Equipment - These

Extra Help in the Home - Many individuals

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