EDSSU

The ED Short Stay Unit (SSU) provides a clinical area to treat ED patients that require care of less than 24 hours. About 10-15% of all presentations to the emergency department will be admitted to ED SSU for short term care.

The decision to admit into SSU is made after referral to the duty EDSSU consultant, or the ED registrar during a night shift.

Where applicable, please use a Nurse Led Discharge pathway when admitting your patients to EDSSU for the following conditions:

Below is a collection of job descriptions and introduction guides for new medical officers starting at TSH ED SSU.

1. State the Provisional/working diagnosis
2. Document approval by senior doctor. Please document which senior doctor /ED Staff Specialist was involved in the decision process e.g. : “Patient was reviewed by [DR EDSS] and approved for EDSSU/NLD“

3. Document a plan:
   • Pending investigations to be checked
   • Management and treatment
   • Timing for the next review
4. Chart eMEDS
   • please chart all medications, as for any admission. Use the reconciliation process whenever possible.
5. Discharge planning
   • Please document the criteria for discharge. E.g.
     • Back pain – adequate pain control, absence of neurological deficit, independent transfer and mobility, CT report checked.
6. Where appropriate, prepare discharge summary, scripts and fact sheets in advance.