The Jones Dependency Tool can be used in emergency departments to improve patient care and identify the required staffing and skill mix. Using the tool, the nurse can accurately identify a patient’s specific nursing needs. The dependency tool is used to evaluate patients’ needs in six areas: communication; airway, breathing and circulation; mobility; eating, drinking, elimination and personal care; environmental safety, health and social needs; and triage. Appropriate nursing care can be tailored to the dependency level, depending on whether the dependency level is low, moderate, high or total dependency.