Khan, SA (1997)58 | Elderly | Short stay ward can reduce some patients stay in hospital and reduce demand for in-patient places. Increased level of care for elderly patients. |
Beattie, TF (1993)44 | Children | Children get comfortable beds more quickly. Improved awareness of simple pathology. |
Biddulph, J (1984)59 | | Most children admitted to an observation unit were sent home without requiring hospital treatment. Observation easier and more efficient than if admitted fully to hospital. |
Ryan, J (1996)60 | Self Harm | Most patients discharged next day without need for further follow up. Potential cost savings made. |
Jones, A (1995)39 | Head injuries | Observation ward offers safe and monitored area for recovery. Few patients require admission to other wards. |
Brown, SR (1994)61 | | Number of inappropriate discharges decreased. |
Gouin, S (1997)22 | Asthma | An observation unit lowered the hospitalisation rate for children with asthma, yet there was an increased rate of repeat visits to the ED. |
Willert, C (1997)62 | | Holding room therapy for childhood status asthmaticus is beneficial both medically and cost wise. |
Hutchins, CJ (1978)63 | Gynaecology patients | Of 408 patients admitted to one gynaecological unit, 56% were in hospital for less than 6 hours and a further quarter did not require hospital admission. Full staffing of a unit could release a number of beds for other selected work. |
Gaspoz, JM (1994)64 | Chest pain | Short stay units prevent unnecessary long stays in hospital, and are safe and cost effective. |
Goodacre, SW (2000)27 | | There is insufficient evidence to say that an observation unit will improve outcomes if clinical practice is good. Not proven to be financially beneficial in the UK yet. |
Henneman, PL (1989)65 | Abdominal conditions and trauma | Abdominal trauma and negative diagnostic peritoneal lavage can be safely managed in an observation unit. |
Conrad, L (1985)66 | | Patients with initial negative test results can be evaluated in observation units. |
Israel, RS (1991)67 | | 72% of patients treated for pyelonephritis were successfully managed on an observation ward and were discharged early. |