EAU Decreases ED Holding Times

The Express Admit Unit (EAU) opened on February 15, 2010.  The unit is located in Pod E, on the third floor Central Tower. Several departments joined together to plan and to implement the EAU. Tina Miller, Director of Operational Efficiency and Tonie Galiz, Director of Nursing Resources, directed the operations and clinical components.

Purpose of the EAU 

• To expedite the patients throughput and facilitate rapid transfer/admission process for the Emergency Department (ED) and direct admit patients requiring inpatient hospitalization.

 

• To initiate admission process and reduce patient holding time in the ED to under 60 minutes. 

 

• To facilitate the “No Delay Policy” by completing as much of the admission assessment and initiation of preliminary orders as possible.

 

• To deliver excellent customer service, inpatient standard of care and provide the level of quality expected in a Magnet, world class organization.  Increase patient, physician and staff satisfaction with an efficient and timely admission process.

 

The unit is staffed with two RN’s and operates seven days a week. Hours of operation are 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. To date, we have admitted over 1,000 patients.  We have received positive feedback as this program takes the patient out of a busy ED into a quiet environment where treatment can begin.  Physicians are also excited and very satisfied since they can see and assess their patients in one area, write orders and begin the treatment without having to go to multiple units.  ED holding hours have been reduced considerably since the opening of the unit in February 2010.