Department Observation

The Observation Unit is an outpatient service area staffed by RNs, LPNs, Nurse Techs I and II, and Nursing Assistants.  The Observation Unit provides care to infants (up to 3 years old), Children (4 to 11 years of age), adolescents (12 to 17 years of age), adults (18 years of age to 64 years), and elderly adults (65 years of age and older).

The nursing process is used to prioritize and provide care to patients of all ages who required interventions in an outpatient setting for physical alterations requiring 23-48 hours of care and assessment to determine if further acute care hospitalization is needed.  These health care problems may range from those requiring minimal care to those patients requiring extensive testing and assessment of status.  Staff collects data about the health status of the patients through interview, physical examination, review of records, and consultation with the physician.

Services provided include care of the patient requiring isolation, pediatric care as well as adult medical and post-operative extended recovery.  Health education and making appropriate referrals for follow up care are important aspects of this service.

Observation Unit services are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.