title: [Temporary hospitalization: necessity or luxury?].
abstract: Emergency medicine is essentially concerned with the diagnosis and the stabilization of the vital system repercussion of acute illness and trauma. This goal cannot always be achieved within the first hours after admission. Therefore facilities for temporary hospitalization are mandatory. This statement is confirmed by experience, figures and practical considerations. Furthermore the facilities for short term intensive care within the hospitalization unit are necessary to assure the presence of competence in critical care medicine. Guidelines for the use of the hospitalization unit and for limiting the duration of admission are discussed. The size of the unit has to be proportional to the size of the hospital. An open unit is preferred as a compromise between security and comfort. The temporary hospitalization unit in the emergency department will be an extra asset in keeping the medical team on the premises and busy, provided the number of emergency departments is limited and regional planning of emergency facilities is assured.
mesh_terms: D001530:Belgium; D003422:Critical Care; D004636:Emergency Service, Hospital / Q000458:organization & administration; D006760:Hospitalization; D006801:Humans; D007362:Intensive Care Units; D013997:Time Factors
vernacular_title: Voorlopige hospitalisatie: noodzaak of luxe?