Abstract
Aim: to propose a method for nurses to use patient classification systems to elaborate daily schedules in inpatient care units. Method: theoretical essay based on observation of care units in a teaching hospital, reflection and proposition of total nursing hours on shift (THE-t) concept. Theoretical foundation: Fugulin's SCP, nursing hours, total nursing hours, nursing scales, workload and productive time. Results: A seven-step method to elaborate nursing daily schedules is presented with and example using Fugulin's SCP. Conclusions: Other classification systems can be used, starting from the same operational logic. To use the method, it is necessary that the service already adopts patients classification using SCP. THE-t concept is fundamental to use SCP in daily schedules. Considerations are made regarding its applicability in relation to the same elements that support it: the characteristics of the health service, the nursing service and those of patients.