New Lutheran Observation Unit opens
Picture this: A patient arrives at the Emergency Department with a transient ischemic attack, also known as a TIA. This temporary disruption of blood flow to the brain is serious but it might resolve quickly with immediate best-practice treatment and careful monitoring.
Or, this patient’s condition could deteriorate and require aggressive therapy and an inpatient stay. The next 48 hours are critical.
With the transition to the new campus, Lutheran Hospital has opened an ideal care area for this type of patient – its first-ever Observation Unit. Down the hall from the Emergency Department, this 16-bed treatment area is optimized to provide rapid assessments, workups and monitoring of patients who find themselves in a high-risk window and might need additional testing or treatment.
“The new Obs Unit is a great new addition to Lutheran and an example of a more modern model of healthcare delivery, providing patients with the precise level of care they need for their condition,” said David Leventhal, MD, Emergency Medicine, medical director for the new unit.
The unit is designed for patients who will have stays longer than eight hours but shorter than two overnights. They can’t remain in the ED but inpatient status also isn’t appropriate. Yet.
Currently, between 15 and 20 percent of Lutheran Obs patients do convert to inpatients. The average length of stay in this unit is less than 22 hours.
“It’s going great so far; our census is increasing, and our LOS and inpatient conversion rates are promising,” said Leventhal. “In addition, our patients have noted that the unit is comfortable and efficient, and our clinicians and staff are happy to work here. I’m proud of what we’ve accomplished so far, and I feel our trajectory is positive.”
Leventhal has been on Lutheran’s medical staff for nearly a decade. Also a member of the Peer Review Committee, he feels this new position will allow him to collaborate with many physicians and develop leadership skills while offering patients a more targeted level of care.
Outside of Obs, Dr. Leventhal is an avid skier and biker. He, his wife and three kids enjoy parks and camping. This family photo was taken during a trip to Moab, Utah, earlier this month.
Picture perfect. Physicians interested in learning more about the new Observation Unit at Lutheran can contact Leventhal via email at david.leventhal@imail2.org.