Photo includes: Sam, RN; Andrea Mcleod, RN; Abdi Somo, Chief Administrative Officer; Madison Robertson, RN; Kaitlyn, RN; Peter J. Vandersteenhoven, MD, MS; Tim Layng, DO; Celeste, RN; Karen; Lauren, RN; Kathy Baker, Chief Nursing Officer; Alyssa Renick, RN; Wendy Horton, CEO, UVA Health University Medical Center; Andrew E Muck, MD; and Kyle, EMT
I’m continually inspired by how our team rises to the occasion. Your dedication to improving patient care and efficiency moves us forward. One of our latest advancements is the ED-based Observation Unit—an evidence-based approach led by a talented team to enhance patient flow while maintaining high-quality care.
How Observation Medicine Improves Capacity
Observation care has long been used in EDs to safely manage patients needing short-term monitoring. By providing focused care and using evidence-based protocols in a 24-hour observation setting instead of a traditional inpatient bed, we can improve the patient experience, by providing them exceptional care while reducing the cost they pay and improving medical center-wide patient flow. This is a key step in growing and caring for our community.
Our Observation Unit (OBS) serves stable, non-complex adults with a single medical concern, such as chest pain, syncope (temporary loss of consciousness), or TIA (a brief stroke-like attack). These patients may not require full inpatient admission but still benefit from monitoring. The OBS provides a dedicated space for their care, reserving inpatient beds for those with more complex needs and easing strain on our ED.
What’s Changing?
- Short-Term: In January, we launched the ED-based Observation Unit by reallocating five beds in the 700s Pod. The unit is staffed by four APPs, a nursing team, and EM attending supervision. Additionally, a Purple Resident rounds with the OBS team daily at 8:00 AM.
- Long-Term: Over time, we aim to solidify the OBS dedicated space, expand the unit to meet growing demand, collaborate with additional service lines, and create more hands-on learning opportunities for our EM residents.
The Team Behind the Work
This initiative wouldn’t be possible without the dedication of its multidisciplinary team including leaders, Bill Brady, Sarah Wendel, George Glass, Nelson Figueroa and Andrew Muck, along with Lauren Smaltz, Development & APP management; Moira Smith, AgileMD interface & informatics; Tim Layng, Charting Templates & Informatics; and Chris Thom, Charting (Coding & Billing).
The new Observation Unit is just one piece of a broader strategy, helping us prepare for the South Tower expansion and other exciting developments at UVA Health. It’s inspiring to see how a single idea can evolve into a critical part of a larger solution. Let’s celebrate this milestone and the people who made it happen!
Thank you for your efforts, and please continue to share your ideas for improving patient care, safety, and outcomes with me through the Be Heard Suggestion Box.
Take care and be well,
Wendy