Observation Medicine: Principles and Protocols

by Sharon E. Mace

Overview

Using sample administrative and clinical protocols that any hospital can use, this book gives a detailed account of how to set up and run an observation unit and reviews all medical conditions in which observation medicine may be beneficial. In addition to clinical topics such as improving patient outcomes and avoiding readmissions, it also includes practical topics such as design, staffing, and daily operations; fiscal aspects, such as coding, billing, and reimbursement; regulatory concerns, such as aligning case management and utilization review with observation; nursing considerations; and more. The future of observation medicine, and how it can help solve the healthcare crisis from costs to access, is also discussed. Although based on US practices, this book is also applicable to an international audience, and contains instructions for implementing observation in any setting or locale and in any type of hospital or other appropriate facility.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781107022348
Publisher:	Cambridge University Press
Publication date:	03/16/2017
Pages:	812
Sales rank:	261,952
Product dimensions:	7.28(w) x 10.24(h) x 1.54(d)

About the Author

Sharon E. Mace is Professor of Medicine at the Cleveland Clinic Lerner College of Medicine, Case Western Reserve University, Ohio; Director of the Observation Unit, Director of Research, and Director of Pediatric Education/Quality Improvement at the Emergency Services Institute, Cleveland Clinic; and a member of the Faculty of MetroHealth Medical Center/Cleveland Clinic Emergency Medicine Residency, Cleveland, Ohio.

Table of Contents

Part I. Administration; Part II. Observation Medicine; Part III. New Developments in Observation Medicine; Part IV. Clinical; Section 1. Cardiac; Part V. Financial; Section 1. Financial – Coding and Reimbursement; Part VI. International; Section 1. Africa; Part VII. Evidence Basis for Observation Medicine; Part VIII. Protocols; Part IX. Order Sets; Section 1. Adults.

Editorial Reviews

Reviewer: Michael D. Zwank, MD, RDMS, FACEP (University of Minnesota Medical School)
Description: This book on managing an observation unit in a hospital setting is quite unique in providing a long list of order sets that can be easily adapted and immediately used for patient care.
Purpose: This is designed to be a thorough reference for establishing and running an observation unit. The author mentions that it should be useful for anyone interested in observation medicine, characterizing the book as "one stop shopping." With the myriad of contributors and topics, the book certainly fulfills this goal.
Audience: The intended audience is broad and includes international readers. Given the breadth of topics and the chapters aimed at readers from many countries, the book meets the needs of its audience. The contributors include a number of well-known authorities in the fields of emergency medicine and observation medicine.
Features: The book is divided into sections that cover all aspects of observation medicine. The first addresses administration and logistics such as design, staffing, nursing, and metrics, among others. The next section discusses different hospital settings, such as academic and community, as well as training and interdepartmental collaboration. Mixed in with this is a discussion about the financial aspects of observation medicine. The most practically useful sections of the book are those that describe specific patient presentations, pathologies, and treatments that are appropriate (and not appropriate) for observation units. Examples include undifferentiated abdominal pain and chest pain, congestive heart failure, transfusions, hyperemesis, dizziness, and many others. The book finishes with over 150 pages of order sets that are specific to each of these complaints and diagnoses that can be adapted and used immediately. One of the unique features of the book is a series of chapters that addresses the concept of observation medicine in many large countries around the world.
Assessment: This is an impressive book. From the start, the author sets out an audacious goal of creating a book that addresses all aspects of an important and expansive aspect of medicine. With the help of an impressive group of contributors, the author successfully achieves that goal. I would highly recommend this book to anyone involved in the contemplation, creation, or actual running of an observation unit in the U.S. and beyond.

Doody's Review Service

'This reasonably priced reference should be in all observation units. In addition to being well written, it comes with excellent illustrations, easy-to-understand algorithms, and a SWOT(strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats) analysis for making a business case for observation units. In addition, the eBook version is easy to navigate, featuring a search option and hyperlinked parts, chapters, and references … With an increasing number of emergency department visits, observation medicine is essential to improve patient outcome, reduce costs by triaging patients, and avoid unnecessary admissions by judicious application of the clinical protocols and principles recommended in this book. Observation Medicine: Principles and Protocols comes highly recommended.' Mary E. Arthur, Anaesthesia & Analgesia

From the Publisher