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COHC More data needed on short-stay units

Recent changes in clinical practice, utilization review and reimbursement have caused significant alterations in the delivery of pediatric inpatient care. The trend to shorter lengths of stay, combined with the provision of more surgical care on an outpatient basis, has reduced the number of general pediatric admissions at many hospitals.

Financial pressures have led to the closure or consolidation of smaller pediatric inpatient units. Alternatives to traditional inpatient pediatric admissions have become commonplace, with the creation of observation or short-stay admission units. Hospitals have responded to these needs in different ways, with many of them establishing observation beds.

According to a 1998 survey by the National Association of Children's Hospitals and Related Institutions (NACHRI) of its members, 62 of the 112 hospitals responding reported having observation beds. Of interest is that many hospitals indicated their facility has observation beds in more than one location and varies by hospital type (See chart).