Observation Ward

OVERVIEW

  • Observation ward is a short stay ward
  • Integral part of the emergency department
  • Staffed by the emergency department
  • Has defined admission and discharge criteria
  • Admission of specific diagnostic related groups
  • Has a focused multidisciplinary approach

DIAGNOSES APPROPRIATE FOR OBS WARD

Specific diagnosis related groups examples

  • Minor head injury
  • Drug overdose
  • Intoxication
  • Renal colic
  • mild-moderate pyelonephritis
  • musculoskeletal low back pain
  • elderly patients not suitable for discharge at night, but no other barriers to discharge

ADVANTAGES FOR THE HOSPITAL

  • Shorter admission time for specific DRGs
  • Thus cost savings and decreased average length of stay
  • Acts as as a safety net
  • Decreased incorrect discharge and thus decreased litigation

ADVANTAGES FOR THE ED

  • Streamed lined treatment pathway
  • Decompression of ED
  • Assessment for intoxicated patients

ADVANTAGES FOR THE PATIENT

  • Access to experts in DSH and Psychiatry
  • Crisis intervention
  • Prevents inappropriate discharge for example elderly late at night

DIASADVANTAGES

  • Fragmentation of care of patients who will require admission
  • Inappropriate admission
  • Problematic discharge, d/c with inadequate assessment and community social support
  • Resources for ED diverted

CCC 700 6

Critical Care

Compendium

Chris is an Intensivist and ECMO specialist at The Alfred ICU, where he is Deputy Director (Education). He is a Clinical Adjunct Associate Professor at Monash University, the Lead for the  Clinician Educator Incubator programme, and a CICM First Part Examiner.

He is an internationally recognised Clinician Educator with a passion for helping clinicians learn and for improving the clinical performance of individuals and collectives. He was one of the founders of the FOAM movement (Free Open-Access Medical education) has been recognised for his contributions to education with awards from ANZICS, ANZAHPE, and ACEM.

His one great achievement is being the father of three amazing children.

On Bluesky, he is @precordialthump.bsky.social and on the site that Elon has screwed up, he is @precordialthump.

| INTENSIVE | RAGE | Resuscitology | SMACC

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