Reorganizing a hospital ward as an accountable care unit
Stein, J., Payne, C., Methvin, A., Bonsall, J.M., Chadwick, L., Clark, D., Castle, B.W., Tong, D. & Dressler, D.D.
Overview
When Emory University Hospital reorganized a high-acuity 24-bed medical unit into an Accountable Care Unit, they significantly improved patient outcomes, reducing in-hospital mortality from 2.3% to 1.1% and shortening average length of stay from 5.0 to 4.5 days.
Objectives
To reorganize a traditional hospital ward into an Accountable Care Unit (ACU) to enhance clinical efficiency and effectiveness through improved teamwork and communication.
Methods
The ACU model was implemented using four key features: unit-based teams, structured interdisciplinary bedside rounds (SIBR), unit-level performance reporting, and nurse-physician co-leadership, evaluated over a four-year period at Emory University Hospital.
Results
Following the implementation of the ACU, the unit saw a significant reduction in in-hospital mortality from 2.3% to 1.1% and a decrease in average length of stay from 5.0 days to 4.5 days.
Conclusion
The reorganization of the hospital ward into an ACU significantly improved patient outcomes and operational efficiency, demonstrating the value of structured team-based care models in high-acuity medical settings.
Additional Data
Subsequent analysis of in-hospital deaths showed a significant reduction after for the adoption of the ACU care model and SIBR rounds on the study unit and a second unit.
I hope you enjoyed reading these strong results. Unit outcomes like these are achievable within 3 to 6 months using a seasoned implementation methodology:
- skillful project management
- smooth training and launch, and a
- long-term partnership for sustainability.
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Liam Chadwick, PhD