Results on patient flow of implementing an Acute Medical Unit.
Acute Med. 2018;17(2):62-67
Authors: Rombach SM, Budha-Balke G, van Galen SJ, Bekker R, Smit-Bruineberg SE, Biesheuvel TH, Kramer M, Nanayakkara P
Abstract
BACKGROUND: There is an increased influx of patients needing admission. Introducing an acute medical unit (AMU) may increase the admission capacity without increasing the total number of beds.
METHODS: Data collected during the first four years after implementation of an AMU in an academic tertiary care center in Amsterdam were analyzed.
RESULTS: A 24 bed unit was realized. The total number of admissions increased in the first year with 977 (16%), with an additional 4.1% increase after 2 years with stabilization thereafter. The length of stay decreased, the absolute number of refusals declined, the number of readmissions remained unchanged.
CONCLUSION: Introduction of AMUs in overcrowded services could be beneficial in improving the strain on the acute healthcare systems.
PMID: 29882555 [PubMed - in process]