Audit of the activity of a same day ward.
OBJECTIVE
To assess the utilization of a 16-bed same day ward with particular reference to preadmission, discharge and after-care planning, and complication and delayed discharge rates.


METHODS
Three audits, each of 200 consecutive patients, were carried out during 1987 with a questionnaire suitable for desk-top data processing.


RESULTS
The same day ward was capable of being used by a wide variety of disciplines, with one in five patients aged more than 70 years. Significant falls in complication and delayed discharge rates occurred, with increasing use of discharge notes and follow up arrangements by medical staff. Preadmission visits by a community nurse may facilitate the appropriate use of the ward by elderly patients.
Duggan
J M
JM
Royal Newcastle Hospital, New South Wales.
Graham
R
R
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001315:Australia; D003631:Day Care, Medical / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006757:Hospital Units / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D010043:Outcome and Process Assessment, Health Care / Q000379:methods*; D010343:Patient Admission / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D013997:Time Factors