Below is the process for admitting patients to observation status. Please call or page me if you have any questions.

· Pt seen and evaluated by physician. Determination is made by physician to place pt in observation.

· Physician must complete clinic note/H&P including all findings, test/lab results. Note must also include reason(s) for admission to observation and a plan of care.

· Complete orders under personal order set in E Chart. Order must read “Admit to Observation”.

· Fax completed bed request with clinic note/H&P to bed management at 686-5648. Please state on the bed request the name of the doctor completing E Chart Orders.

· Bed management will contact observation screener who will load the information into *InterQual. If patient is appropriate for observation bed management will contact the clinic with a bed number. If patient is not appropriate for observation the screener will call the admitting physician to discuss alternative level of care.

· Patients should not be sent to admissions until observation admission is approved.

* InterQual is the hospital approved screening criteria used for admission to observation. It is based on severity of illness and intensity of service. It is the InterQual criterion that determines the need for observation not the screener.

Thanks Beth Best. RN

Office 603-1042

Pager 405- 4782