The OHSU ED has a 10-bed "24 hour" observation unit with continuous ED physician oversight. The Unit also has dedicated nurse practitioner coverage 17 hours per day. Patients can be admitted from the ED or directly from the clinic setting. Approximately 20 percent of the patients who are admitted to our unit are children.

The unit provides intensive therapy and monitoring to patients for a brief stay. The target stay is less than 24 hours but not more than 48 hours (current average stay is 15 hours).

The 10-bed unit has all private rooms, each with a TV, telephone, bed or crib, bathroom facilities and a sleeping chair. All rooms have complete monitoring capability, oxygen and suction availability. The nurses' station central monitor keeps watch. Full meal service is provided.

Emergency Department registered nurses and a certified nursing assistant staff the unit. The staffing ratio is one RN to five patients, however this ratio fluctuates to accomodate patient acuity. This staff is soley designated to the Observation Unit during its shift. Additional ED physician staffing is present from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. to facilitate Observation Unit discharges.

Next: The Observation Unit's Unique Plan of Care