Effectiveness of an Observational Unit at St. Olavs Hospital

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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The trial is designed to evaluate the effectiveness of a newly established Observational unit at St. Olavs Hospital in terms of readmission rates, compared to the provision of care in normal/traditional units for defined diagnosis and medical problems.

Detailed Description
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Observational units are thought to be more efficient than traditional ward units, but the evidence is scarce. The trial will in a randomized fashion evaluate the study hypothesis at an organizational level and not confined to specific diagnosis. The hypothesis to be tested is to confirm or reject the equal effectiveness of an Observational unit compared to a traditional ward for organizing in-hospital care.There are established eligibility and exclusion criteria based on clinical experience. Endpoint is length of stay and readmission within 30 days. In addition the study will give information on the use of diagnostic and treatment resources used and collect some basic demographic variables.

Official Title
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An Open Randomized Trial of the Effectiveness of an Observational Unit at St. Olavs Hospital

Conditions
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Emergency Patients

Intervention / Treatment
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* Other: Traditional ward
* Other: Organizational change


Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteria: Emergency admitted patients only All patients on the list (appendix 1) with a tentative length of stay < 24 hours Predicted stay of less than 24 hours Willingness and able to sign a informed consent Exclusion Criteria: Emergency admitted patients with life threatening illnesses Patients with a tentative length of stay > 24 hours based on the summary of medical and logistical considerations e.g. need of major - surgery, infections with prolonged infusions of antibiotics. Unwillingness to sign a informed consent By discretion of the physician/surgeon Readmission of any reason in the study period (within 30 days)

Ages Eligible for Study
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Minimum Age: 18 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study
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All

Accepts Healthy Volunteers
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No

Study Plan
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How is the study designed?
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Design Details

Primary Purpose: Health Services Research
Allocation: Randomized
Intervention Model: Parallel Assignment
Masking: Single


Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| Active Comparator: Traditional ward<br> | Other: Traditional ward<br>* provision of care in a traditional unit/ward.<br>|
| Experimental: Observational unit<br>Organizational change. Innovative organization of in-hospital care | Other: Organizational change<br>* Observational unit (new organizational unit) for organizing in-hospital care<br>* Other names: Healthcare innovation;|

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Length of stay (LOS) | Length of hospital stay in hours | 1 year | 

Secondary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Readmission within 30 days | Readmission to hospital for any reason within 30 calender days | 30 days | 

 Terms related to the study
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Keywords Provided by Centre Hospitalier Valida
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Observational units, Length of stay (LOS), Readmission