Guidelines for Use of Observation Status for Patients

• a medical condition expected to rapidly respond to treatment?

• an unexpected reaction or complication during or following an outpatient procedure?

• the need for a diagnostic evaluation to decide whether to admit the patient or not?

• a chance for having a serious delayed reaction to a treatment or a complication following injury?

• solely for the convenience of the patient, physician or family?

• as a scheduled service?

• even when it is expected that the patient will need to be hospitalized for more than 24 hours?

• for blood product administration?

• solely to allow time to place the patient in a long-term care facility?

• for routine preparation before an outpatient procedure?

• solely for social factors?

• for the diagnostic workup of a patient who does not need skilled support or observation services?

• of the phsyician's order placing the patient in observation status?

• of the condition, diagnostic testing and treatment provided?

• of the number of hours that the patient is kept in observation?

Did the patient require additional hospitalization beyond the limits set for observation status?

Was the patient admitted as an inpatient?