SHM Converge Scientific Abstract ePoster Gallery-Developing a Hospitalist Run Short Stay Unit to Improve Throughput

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Grady Memorial Hospital developed a hospitalist-run Inpatient Observation Unit (IOU) to improve emergency department (ED) throughput and care progression for patients who need more than a traditional low-acuity observation unit can provide. Traditional ED-run observation units are protocol-driven and suited to simple cases, but increasing patient complexity, comorbidities, and social challenges often require broader diagnostic and inpatient-style support.<br /><br />The IOU is a 10-bed telemetry and intermediate-care capable short-stay unit opened in October 2022, staffed by one hospitalist and one advanced practice provider. It is located near the ED and functions as a closed unit. Patients are selected for expected length of stay under 48 hours, clinical judgment, and an internal tip sheet. The study reviewed unit metrics from November 2022 through October 2023.<br /><br />Two outcomes were assessed: ED throughput and patient progression. Throughput was measured as time from admission order to bed check-in, while progression was measured by median total length of stay for common diagnoses compared with other medicine services.<br /><br />Preliminary results suggest the IOU improved ED flow, reducing average time from admission order to check-in by 66.8% compared with medicine patients not in the ED. It also appeared to shorten length of stay for several common diagnoses, likely because of dedicated resources and priority testing.<br /><br />Overall, the IOU shows promise as a model for decompressing the ED and improving timely care for complex short-stay patients. Data collection is still ongoing, and additional statistical analysis is needed to confirm the findings.

Asset Subtitle

Shaheen Fatima

Meta Tag

Author List Jung M. Park, Shaheen Fatima

Category Research

Concept Hospitalist-run observation unit

Concept Patient Throughput

Concept Emergency Department observation unit

Concept Length of Stay

Concept Emergency Department

Distinguished Non-Finalist

Presenter Organization Emory University, Grady Memorial Hospital

Presenting Author Shaheen Fatima

Track Quality Improvement

Keywords

hospitalist-run inpatient observation unit

ED throughput

emergency department flow

short-stay unit

telemetry

intermediate care

length of stay

patient progression

hospital operations

observation unit

Hospitalist-run observation unit

Patient Throughput

Emergency Department observation unit

Length of Stay

Emergency Department