Observation Units Can Improve Care But May Be Costly For Patients

There's a growing recognition by clinicians that some patients who arrive at the emergency department can benefit if they’re kept under observation for up to a day so that staff can run more tests and monitor their progress to see if their condition is improving or deteriorating.

Unfortunately, many hospitals and insurers haven't set up their clinical and billing systems or insurance contracts with these patients’ needs in mind. Not only does this result in a longer stay in some cases, but it also can cause confusion for patients and bigger patient bills. Many experts say that the problem is likely to get worse.

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Source: Kaiser Health News