A nurse groups patients with criteria such as "high risk for falls," "infection protocols," and "special communication needs" to determine the mix and number of staff needed on a telemetry unit. The nurse is using:

Question

a. a patient classification system to determine safe staffing levels.
b. diagnostic-related groups for Medicare billing.
c. case management to coordinate care.
d. clinical pathways to determine care.

Answer 1

ANS: A
Correct: Patient classification systems group patients according to care needs to determine safe staffing levels.
Incorrect:
b. Diagnostic-related groups is a classification system used to bill Medicare for patient care that is based on primary and secondary diagnoses.
c. Case management is a model of care delivery in which the RN coordinates the patient's care throughout the course of an illness.
d. Clinical pathways generate plans that specify major patient care activities and desired patient outcomes within a specified time period for a particular diagnosis or health condition.