“Keeping you in the Know: Admission Status”

Many patients admitted to Cumberland Medical Center are admitted as an “Observation Patient”. In an effort to decrease confusion and enhance understanding, we will review WHY this status is ordered and WHAT this means to you as a patient.

Several years ago, patients were admitted to the hospital as a “full admission”, regardless of diagnosis, how long they were expected to be in the hospital, what their treatment might be and so forth; all were full admission.

In an effort to have a better picture of each patient’s needs, Medicare “divided” admissions to fit certain categories. (My examples are somewhat simplified for time and ease of understanding).

Full admissions: These patients are generally admitted with a known/confirmed diagnosis or with a complaint or symptoms so severe their doctor has medical evidence to justify projecting an extended hospital stay. Generally, treatment can only be rendered in the hospital setting and needs to be evaluated at least daily for changes and / or adjustments. A full admission will usually have a hospital stay of three (3) days or longer.

Observation admissions: These patients are generally admitted with a suspected diagnosis, but the physician needs more tests and further evaluation before certain. If the condition is known, the practitioner believes the patient will be discharged before 48 hour time period. Even though this patient may be receiving IV fluids, the care COULD be rendered by home health nurse or at a nursing facility. In a high percentage of these cases, the physician is awaiting medical tests and personal progress of patient before changing status to full-time admit if necessary. Always keep in mind: MEDICARE HAS CRITERIA FOR FULL ADMISSION AND OBSERVATION PATIENTS AND YOUR PHYSICIAN MUST FOLLOW MEDICARE’S ESTABLISHED CRITERIA.

An important fact to remember is an observation patient can be changed to a full admission and vice versa while the patient is being treated at Cumberland Medical Center. If you are admitted as an observation patient but your condition changes and warrants more extensive treatment, your physician can write an order for you to be changed to a “full admission” patient. In some cases, patients are admitted very ill but quickly recover with minimal intervention. In these cases, the patient can be changed to observation status.

The downside of “observation status” is the patient’s medications ordered by mouth are not covered by Medicare. If admission is preplanned (Same day surgery or you discussed in office) ask your physician regarding alternatives. Also, you may discuss medication concerns with the medical personnel at Cumberland Medical Center. Our staff is dedicated to helping you with every detail of your healthcare needs.

Always remember, at Cumberland Medical Center, your health matters; and we strive to keep you “In the Know.”