A newly expanded clinical decision unit utilizes a structured evaluation process of more than 30 protocols for conditions such as congestive heart failure, stroke, kidney infections, chest pain and asthma. The goal is to decompress emergency department volumes and avoid unnecessary hospital stays and related costs.
“In a 23-hour period, time will allow for appropriate testing and observation to determine whether a patient needs to be admitted to the hospital versus being discharged,” says Dr. Mark Moseley, medical director of OSU Medical Center’s emergency department.
The 20-bed unit is staffed by 40 dedicated professionals, including certified nurse practitioners, board certified physicians, patient care resource managers and social workers, who monitor patients to ensure more specialized care and personalized attention. The unit is equipped with private rooms, a calm environment and other amenities. Family members are also able to stay at their loved one’s bedside.
“This is a very multi-disciplinary approach to acute patient care, very rare in most cases, and observational medicine expertise is guiding the unit,” adds Moseley.
Within a short timeframe, patients can have blood work completed, stress tests conducted and medications monitored. Upon discharge, a patient receives necessary prescriptions and information related to follow-up appointments with a primary care physician.
“The ultimate goal is to prevent a patient from being admitted to the hospital or returning to the emergency department. More importantly, our patients will have a treatment plan when they leave,” says Janet Susi, nurse manager of the clinical decision unit.
According to Moseley and Susi, hospitals are not reimbursed by insurance companies for patient stays not fitting admission criteria. If patients are discharged from the clinical decision unit, they avoid more substantial co-pays related to a hospital stay or treatment from a specialist.
“This novel approach optimizes time with the patient, helping each patient get the best quality care they need in the most cost-effective way. It’s a win-win for the patient and the Medical Center,” Susi says.