What is an observational unit?

[miyhaka]

I am trying to find a job as a PCT, and there is one open in the Observational Unit. I don't know exactly what an observational unit is, and what kind of patients are in there.

[rupey]

It basicly is a billing thing... sounds funny but you have observation patient and inpatients. Observation patients stay anywhere from a few hrs to 48hrs. Inpatients have to meet certain criteria for inpatient admission. Observation units are very fast moving units because the patient aren't there long so you admit alot of patients