Disaster Collaborative For Observation Medicine

Goal

The disaster collaborative for observation medicine aims to enhance patient care by minimizing inappropriate emergency department discharges, thereby reducing diagnostic uncertainties, preventing unnecessary hospital admissions, and optimizing healthcare costs and resource use. By focusing on these objectives, the collaborative seeks to improve patient outcomes and streamline the healthcare delivery process in times of crisis.

 

Objectives

ED Observation Units have been used in the management of toxin disasters, environmental disasters, epidemics, and pandemics. Telemedicine and protocol driven observation units offer a unique opportunity to prepare hospitals and regions for disasters.  DCOM's initiative seeks to enhance healthcare systems' resilience during disasters, ultimately improving patient outcomes and optimizing resource allocation. With that, DCOM strives to:  

  • Enhance outcomes by clarifying the role of the ED Observation Unit in a disaster in order to stabilize patients requiring short-term monitoring, thereby alleviating ED congestion
  • Develop guidelines for unique disaster conditions to address unique disaster conditions, including triage protocols, resource allocation, and discharge planning tailored to the specific nature of the disaste
  • Detail how to best leverage telemedicine to provide remote consultations, mental health support, and follow-up care, ensuring continuity of care while managing the increased patient load.
  • Foster interstate collaboration through shared resources, mutual aid agreements, and communication channels among healthcare facilities can enhance response capabilities and ensure a coordinated approach to patient care during disasters.

Ongoing Activities

Under the leadership of Dr. Michael Ross, SRDRS engaged Observation Medicine leaders across Region 4 to further the development of a CBRNE Clinical Decision Unit Manual. Together with Medical Toxicologists from the SRDRS Region 4 Poison Control Center Collaborative (R4PC3), Observationists will partner to create standard care plans for specific chemical emergencies. With collective expertise, the CBRNE CDU manual would establish inclusion/exclusion criteria for an observation setting. 

For more information, reach out to SRDRS at srdrs@emory.edu