Griffin Hospital in Derby recently opened a new unit which expands its capacity to evaluate outpatient surgical and emergency patients.
The Hewitt Observation Unit is for patients who require an extended period of assessment before hospital staff can determine if they should be admitted for additional care or sent home.
The unit allows patients who were first seen in the emergency department, or who have just undergone outpatient surgery, to be observed for up to 48 hours, according to an announcement.
According to Griffin, hospitals nationwide have experienced overcrowding in emergency departments due to COVID-19, seasonal illnesses and staffing shortages.
Griffin’s new unit helps address overcrowding by providing a place to transfer patients who still require some observation. This frees up emergency department beds for those who need it, hospital officials said.
Griffin Health President and CEO Patrick Charmel said the new unit “elevates the level of care for observation patients.”
“Studies have shown that patients cared for in a comfortable environment such as an observation unit had a shorter stay, quicker recovery and better health outcomes,” Charmel said.
“For our patients receiving emergency care, being able to provide a period of extended observation outside of the emergency department will help alleviate congestion, which in turn will reduce emergency department wait times,” he added.
The new unit has 12 private rooms, with elements to make them more home-like rather than hospital-like, such as soothing colors, views of nature and natural light.
Each room has an electronic display for patient communication and education and also offers entertainment. Digital white boards display care team information and patient progress updates. The new unit also has a visitor lounge with a residential kitchen.
Contact Michelle Tuccitto Sullo at msullo@newhavenbiz.com.
