Developing and testing a Korean patient classification system for general wards based on nursing intensity

Aim To develop a new general wards patient classification tool based on the nursing intensity level that reflects patients’ clinical characteristics and indirect nursing activities. Design A cross‐sectional design was adopted. This methodological study developed a patient classification system to sort general ward patients based on the intensity of their nursing needs and verified the validity and reliability of this classification system. Methods Thirteen experts verified the tools’ content validity. Data collectors and head nurses classified 150 patients from two hospitals with four general wards and various nurse staffing levels. Inter‐rater reliability was analysed. Staff nurses classified 846 patients following the Korean patient classification system on nursing intensity scores that reflected patients’ clinical status. Content validity was verified based on the classification results. Using K‐group cluster analysis, score ranges for four groups were identified. Results The developed tool includes 8 domains, (symptom management, infection control, nutrition and medication, personal hygiene and secretion, activity, sleep and rest, guidance in nursing/emotional support, nursing activity planning and coordination, indirect activity), 24 subdomains, 66 nursing activities and 124 criteria. Inter‐rater reliability showed high agreement.