title: Implementation Analysis of a Nurse-Led Observation Unit.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This implementation analysis of a nurse-led observation unit describes the development process and analyzes patients' characteristics, patient satisfaction, and provider perceptions.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  A nurse-led observation unit was developed to create more inpatient bed capacity and place patients in the clinical area best suited to their needs.
  
  
  METHODS
  Descriptive statistics and content analysis were used for analysis.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The average length of stay of 467 patients was 1.1 days; 68.1% (n = 318) were female. Elective surgery was the most frequent reason for admission. All of the patients rated the observation unit patient feedback survey factors favorably except for noise. All healthcare providers (n = 64) reported that they communicated well with each other and had resources to provide quality care but rated the environment less favorably.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  A nurse-led observation unit was found to be an effective and efficient approach to providing postoperative and postprocedure care, which was generally well received by patients and healthcare providers.
authors.affiliation: Author Affiliations: Nurse Manager (Ms Murphy), Clinical Nurses (Mss Willetts and Duphiney), Nurse Scientist (Dr Dalton), and Clinical Research Nurse (Mr David), Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston; and Associate Professor (Dr Dalton) and Assistant Professor (Mr David), Regis College, Weston, Massachusetts.
authors.forename: Gina
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Murphy
authors.forename: Katherine
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Willetts
authors.forename: Lindsay
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Duphiney
authors.forename: Joanne
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Dalton
authors.forename: Daniel
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: David
mesh_terms: D000553:Ambulatory Care; D017558:Elective Surgical Procedures; D005260:Female; D006757:Hospital Units / Q000458:organization & administration*; D006801:Humans; D033183:Interdisciplinary Communication; D007857:Leadership; D007902:Length of Stay / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D008297:Male; D009730:Nursing Assessment; D019370:Observation; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D017064:Process Assessment, Health Care; D016730:Program Development; D058996:Quality Improvement