Results on patient flow of implementing an Acute Medical Unit

Acute Med. 2018;17(2):62-67.

Abstract

Background: There is an increased influx of patients needing admission. Introducing an acute medical unit (AMU) may increase the admission capacity without increasing the total number of beds.

Methods: Data collected during the first four years after implementation of an AMU in an academic tertiary care center in Amsterdam were analyzed.

Results: A 24 bed unit was realized. The total number of admissions increased in the first year with 977 (16%), with an additional 4.1% increase after 2 years with stabilization thereafter. The length of stay decreased, the absolute number of refusals declined, the number of readmissions remained unchanged.

Conclusion: Introduction of AMUs in overcrowded services could be beneficial in improving the strain on the acute healthcare systems.

MeSH terms

  • Delivery of Health Care / standards*
  • Emergency Service, Hospital / trends*
  • Hospital Mortality / trends
  • Humans
  • Length of Stay*
  • Netherlands
  • Patient Admission / statistics & numerical data*
  • Tertiary Care Centers