This guide to successful practices in observation medicine covers both clinical and administrative aspects for a multinational audience.

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.

This issue of Emergency Medicine Clinics focuses on Observation Medicine in the ED. Editors R. Gentry Wilkseron and Christopher Baugh have assembled an expert team of authors on topics such as: History and Principles of Observation Medicine; Observation Unit Design and Establishing an Observation Unit; Care of the Patient with Chest Pain in an Observation Unit; Care of Cardiovascular Conditions in an Observation Unit; Care of Gastrointestinal Conditions in an Observation Unit; Care of Metabolic / Endocrine Conditions in an Observation Unit; Care of Neurologic Conditions in an Observation Unit; Care of Respiratory Conditions in an Observation Unit; Care of Infectious Conditions in an Observation Unit; Care of Traumatic Conditions in an Observation Unit; Care of Extremes of Age in an Observation Unit.

This text defines the scope of observation medicine as a new and cost-effective service in the field of emergency medicine. It reviews the principles and practice of providing services in an observation unit and examines in detail the 25 most common conditions/syndromes which comprise 95 per cent of services offered in observation units.