This three hour, five session symposium is designed for interested stakeholders and hospital systems who are new to observation unit management, are considering establishing a unit or want to improve a newly established unit in their health care center. It will delve into the “nuts and bolts” of the day to day management and activities of an observation unit. Each topic area will feature a presentation on the subject followed by questions and panel discussion.

• Part 1: Steps in Establishing an Observation Unit
  
• Part 2: Understanding Observation Patient Diagnosis Types
  
• Part 3: Reviewing Reimbursement Mechanisms
  
• Part 4: Evaluating Staffing Requirements in Observation Units
  
• Part 5: Utilizing Metrics in Observation Units
  

• Define the role of the observation unit in today’s healthcare system and experiences of establishing a unit
  
• Determine specific patient types by established disease diagnosis criteria
  
• Understand the reimbursement process and how it will affect the financial health of your hospital
  
• Consider staffing requirements for an observation unit
  
• Examine useful observation metrics/data to improve utilization, patient selection, documentation/billing in order to maximize observation unit efficiency

• What are the questions that you need to ask prior to implementation that will lead to success?
• Why – fad? competition? ED is over crowded? admissions? too many patients?
• Type – open? closed? hybrid?
• Size – what factors need to be considered?
• Where to locate the unit?
• Who is responsible for the unit?
• How do we - select patients? Standardize treatment? measure success?
• Discuss the answers to these questions and how they could affect the outcome of your unit?
• Hear what the "keys" to discuss
• Understand the importance of performance measures once the unit is established

Upon completion of this session, Summit participants will be able to:

• Recognize strategies for success innovation in the new health care environment by obtaining buy-in from all hospital departments regarding observation units
• Create an outline and specific steps for the creation of a successful observation or clinical decision unit in an acute care setting
• Develop ideas for ensuring success in the creation of any new unit in an established hospital
• Discuss measurable outcome criteria to ensure positive results and successful outcomes
• Discover ways to ensure improvement in patient satisfaction by setting realistic expectations

Chest pain has long been considered the quintessential observation diagnosis because many patients present daily to the ED with complaints that could represent cardiac ischemia and a traditional evaluation often takes more than 12 hours. In recent years, short stay chest pain admissions have become a leading source of payment denials for hospitals, reinforcing the need to provide observation service for this group of patients. But how do you handle the problem if your facility does not have a dedicated observation unit to increase revenues and ensure appropriate patient care? If you have a unit, what are the strategies to decrease throughput times?

Upon completion of this session, participants will be able to:

• Discuss requirements to provide observation services for chest pain patients and how these services can be provided without a dedicated unit
  
• Identify emergency department patients with chest pain who are good candidates for ED-based observation
  
• Describe the advantages of observation for the hospital, the physician and the patient
  
• Review mechanisms to allow improved throughput depending on the needs of your system

Data and information processing are important in the overall functioning of any operation within the health care setting. Observation units present unique opportunities and challenges. This program will review and apply SWOT analysis (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats) and data collection strategies that are useful to optimize your hospital’s observation unit.

Upon completion of this session, participants will be able to:

• Explain the process and requirements to perform a detailed SWOT analysis
  
• Review open vs. closed observation units and the staffing issues surrounding each
  
• Communicate with various hospital stakeholders the requirements and involvement in observation unit functioning (case management, coding, revenue
  analysis, compliance)
  
• Study data collection methods needed in observation units
  
• Analyze metrics obtained from within observation data

Maintaining best practices within an observation unit is essential to peak performance. Facilities have varied needs and objectives but ultimately the patient and the hospital must be achieving their desired outcomes. Establishing quality assurance measures within the observation unit assures that this will occur.

Upon completion of this session, participants will be able to:

• Determine the best type of observation unit for your facility
  
• Review the quality assurance methods to maintain and improve observation unit
  
• Select appropriate protocols to allow your observation unit to increase hospital revenue