Paediatric short stay unit in a community hospital: Effective, efficient and popular

Abstract

Objectives: Short stay medicine is a cost-effective and efficient way to manage patients with suitable conditions. Paediatric acute illness and injury are amenable to short stay medicine. Before January 2004, when Maroondah Hospital recommenced inpatient care for children, 700 children were transferred annually to other hospitals. We describe the implementation and performance of the first paediatric short stay unit (SSU) in Victoria, which was designed to remedy this situation. Methods: Set in a 291-bed metropolitan hospital, we audited paediatric emergency attendances, admissions, transfers and discharges. We present quality and consumer satisfaction data. Results: The environment was desi..