Medical Observation Unit

Biffbradford · Oct 18, 2011

The way the economy is these days, I would apply and ask questions later! :lol2:

ensru011 · Oct 18, 2011

That is a great question...I actually just got a job interview for the observation unit about 10 minutes ago so I could use some information about this, too. My understanding is that it is kind of like a short-term medical-surgical unit/an extension off of the Emergency Room. That is about as much as I know. Sorry I'm not much help.

everthesame, LPN, LVN · Oct 18, 2011

I am currently employed. While my current work situation isn't ideal, I don't want to make a hasty decision and find myself in a worse situation.

LadyinScrubs, ASN, RN · Oct 18, 2011

everthesame said:
I was just wondering if anyone here works or has worked on a medical observation unit. there is an opening at one of the local hospitals and before I applied I was wondering what working on such a unit is like. what kind of patients do you typically see? what is the average length of stay on the unit? what are any pros or cons of working there?

medical observation units may be located in the ed or actually on the floor (possibly an overflow unit). what you need to know is this: medicare/medicaid will pay for 24 hrs of "observation". normally this is done when the the doctor does not know exactly what is going on or if the doctor wants to observe the pt under a controlled acute care setting. during that time the pt may undergo various dx tests, hooked up to monitors, etc. at the end of the observation period, the doc must decide to admit or discharge the pt. if the pt remains on observation beyond the specified period of time, the acute care facility will not be paid because there is no basis for keeping the patient there.

PCU_RN9, MSN · Oct 18, 2011

I do not work on an observation unit but I have been floated there before and I know how they run, at least how the one runs at my facility. It is a fast paced environment, you get many many admissions and discharges everyday because they are there only a ahort period. Usually 24 hours or less. You usually will get CP, abdominal pain, syncope, etc...there is some cardiac monitoring for the CP. You usually will not deal with things like ng tubes, TPN, post op surgery etc. Many of the patients are in fairly good condition and there are many a/ x3 walkie talkies. Its just hard at times to keep up with all of the testing that they have to go to so the doctor can determine whether they can be discharged or be made an admission and get transferred to a different unit in the hospital. Hope that helps some!

classicdame, MSN, EdD · Oct 18, 2011

our unit is primarily for patients receiving some sort of intervention that day who need to stay longer than the same day surgery patient, but not be admitted. If they are not stable at the 24th hour they must be admitted. This is usually heart caths, stents. Expect lots of paperwork or processing as they are in and out quickly. Ask in the interview if you will be allowed to work another unit should this one not have enough cases to keep you working full time.

vanburbian · Oct 19, 2011

Observation stays can be longer than 24 hours. Medicare has actually extended the time period to approximately 48 hours, and some managed care plans will pay Obs rate for 3 to 4 days.

In order to be paid correctly, there must be HOURLY documentation by the nurse on assessment and/or an intervention pertaining specifically to the reason for the pt.'s admission.

There are many very specific rules & regulations for a unit that is a dedicated OBS unit, and the turnover is high.

The work itself is not necessarily any more difficult than other units, but the rapid influx and documentation requirement keep you busy.

Lexzilla · Jun 15, 2016

I looked at this thread when I had my interview and now that I have worked on the observation floor so I thought I would share my thoughts.

In my hospital the population tends to be those who fell at home, copd, prepping for colonoscopies, uncontrolled diabetes, and other mix of things but those are really the most common. The population is older and a good percentage comes in from the local nursing homes. I think it's a great place to start out in a hospital to get used to the environment if you have never worked in health care before. I'm just bored now and looking to go to a floor with those who are more medically needy but like I said it is a great place to get started.