The emergency department observation unit: patient satisfaction and costs

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to describe patient satisfaction with an emergency department observation unit (EDOU) and the costs of care in the same EDOU in a hospital exploring alternate methods of health care delivery. A descriptive design was used. EDOU patients were surveyed to elicit their perceptions of satisfaction with nursing care. Correlations between age and degree of satisfaction were measured. Results revealed a high degree of satisfaction with nursing care and with the EDOU environment. No significant correlation was found between age and degree of satisfaction. Actual charges for EDOU treatment were calculated for each EDOU patient (N=24) and also projected at the rate these patients would have accrued charges, had they been short stay/observation hospital admissions . There was a statistically significant difference between charges for EDOU care and for the projected charges for short stay/observation hospital admission care .