Psych observation unit

[margo123]

My unit has opened up a new observation unit intended for patients who may only need short-stay care. This might include somebody who has suicidal ideations and no beds are available on the regular unit, or a borderline who was just stitched up in the emergency room. It also could include somebody who just needs to talk, as we all know can relieve the current angst and then the patient is asking to be discharged. The unit really was formed because our emergency docs were pressing us constantly for beds we just didn't have. Management has opened this unit without hiring any new nurses. We're staffing it with mandatory overtime. Also, the beds are located on our gero psych unit. The only thing dividing it from the gero beds is a curtain. I have some serious concerns about safety. We're told that no patients with potential for violent escalation will be admitted there but anybody whose ever worked psych can tell you that you just can't always predict that. We're staffing this with one nurse, with the plan being that "you can always yell for one of the gero nurses if need be." Would love to hear your feedback on this.

[DelightRN]

That's one of the most ridiculous ideas I've ever heard.

What will be your capacity on your short stay unit? Staffed with one RN? And using mandatory OT, to boot?

No, no, no. This is a horrible idea. :uhoh21:

[margo123]

This unit will have a capacity of 6 beds. That means 6 beds and a hallway that is the only area for the patients other than their rooms. Yep, no activity area available. The rooms have no tv, so the only distraction other than sleeping for 24hrs is to be out in the hallway. Not good.