July 21, 2006

New Emergency Department Observation Unit increases inpatient capacity

To mark the opening of the new Emergency Department Observation Unit (EDOU) located on Bigelow 12, a celebratory open house was held July 5. The new 14-bed outpatient facility was established to accommodate Emergency Department (ED) patients who require additional evaluation or treatment, but who are likely to be discharged within 24 hours. These include both patients who formerly would have been admitted to MGH inpatient units, as well as those with long stays who are ultimately discharged directly from the ED. Examples of patients who are appropriate for the unit include those with low-risk chest pain, minor head injury, dehydration, renal colic and asthma.

The EDOU is a major initiative that began last summer when staff from disciplines from throughout the hospital collaborated with ED leadership to address overcrowding. In its first two days of operation, more than 20 percent of the ED admissions were appropriate for treatment in the EDOU, freeing up inpatient beds and opening capacity in the hospital.

"On our first day open, we were at full capacity," says David Brown, MD, associate chief of Emergency Services and medical director of the EDOU. "Overall, the new unit should help decompress the overcrowded ED, which is routinely over 200 percent occupancy, while increasing inpatient capacity."

The EDOU is staffed by experienced ED staff nurses and unit support staff. Maryfran Hughes, RN, ED nurse manager, and Joyce McIntyre, RN, EDOU clinical nurse specialist, provide nursing leadership. Nurse practitioners provide clinical care around-the-clock and are supported by ED attending physicians, who provide both onsite and remote coverage. For more information about the EDOU, contact Brown at dbrown2@partners.org or Hughes at mhughes@partners.org.