Combined short-stay/day surgery/investigation unit in a district general hospital

Abstract

Over the past few years there has been a growing interest in seeking alternative to traditionally accepted patterns of inpatient care. The reasons for this development are probably complex but are partly attributable to the economics of providing health care. Examples of facilities evolved as a result of this trend are units for day surgery, programmed investigation, five-day wards, and short-stay wards. There are many references to the operation of short-stay observation wards attached to accident and emergency departments, five-day wards, programmed investigation, and day surgery units. These references mostly described units developed as discrete entities performing one function only. The authors describe a unit that from its inception was intended to fulfil three functions, namely, a short-stay observation ward for a major accident and emergency department and an investigation and day surgery unit for both medical and surgical specialties. It is the contention, on the basis of the results for six months, that such a unit can function efficiently and it contributes to making the maximum use of expensive capital resources.