Procedure-based systems classify patients by the typesof procedures they require. An example of this type ofsystem is the California Relative Value Status (CRVS)(Bermas & Van Slyck, 1984).Acuity-based or severity-based systems are the systemsmost often used in hospital nursing departments to determinestaffing. Bermas and Van Slyck (1984) define acuity-basedsystems as those that measure patient's psychosocialdependency levels and need for services.