https://doi.org/10.4081/itjm.2024.1840

The importance of the cardiology observation unit in the management of patients with cardiovascular diseases: a pilot project

Vol. 18 No. 4 (2024)
Published: 5 December 2024
Appropriateness, cardiology observation unit, widen OBI, hospital overcrowding
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Authors

Manuel Monti
montimanuel@tiscali.it
https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0478-110X
Emergency Department, Gubbio Gualdo Tadino Hospital, Gubbio (PG), Italy.
Simone Cappannelli
Department of Cardiology, Gubbio Gualdo Tadino Hospital, Gubbio (PG), Italy.
Marco Cardile
Department of Cardiology, Gubbio Gualdo Tadino Hospital, Gubbio (PG), Italy.
Deborah Cosmi
Department of Cardiology, Gubbio Gualdo Tadino Hospital, Gubbio (PG), Italy.
Tania Di Pasquale
Department of Cardiology, Gubbio Gualdo Tadino Hospital, Gubbio (PG), Italy.
Mariana Cappannelli
Quality Service Department, Usl Umbria 1, Perugia, Italy.
Jacopo Fagotti
Emergency Department, Gubbio Gualdo Tadino Hospital, Gubbio (PG), Italy.
Pietro Quadalti
Emergency Department, Gubbio Gualdo Tadino Hospital, Gubbio (PG), Italy.
Michele Marvardi
Emergency Department, Gubbio Gualdo Tadino Hospital, Gubbio (PG), Italy.
Roberto Marchetti
Villa Maraini Foundation, Rome, Italy.
Euro Capponi
Department of Cardiology, Gubbio Gualdo Tadino Hospital, Gubbio (PG), Italy.

The intensive short observation (OBI) unit provides rapid diagnostic and therapeutic evaluations for patients in emergency-urgent conditions. Due to emergency department (ED) overcrowding, dedicated OBIs have been developed to improve care. As a pilot project, a cardiological OBI was established where specialist physicians manage patients, supported by nursing staff from the assigned unit. After observation, patients are discharged, hospitalized in cardiology, or transferred to other departments based on diagnostic needs. In 6 months, 107 patients were admitted to the cardiology OBI, with 85 (76%) discharged. Most admissions were for high-risk chest pain (55%), palpitations (30%), or suspected early-stage heart failure (15%). Notably, three patients were diagnosed with acute coronary syndrome after specialized evaluations for initially unclear symptoms. Preliminary results highlight the cardiological OBI’s effectiveness in reducing inappropriate hospitalizations, identifying complex cases early, and easing ED overcrowding. It met all performance goals, demonstrating the potential to optimize patient pathways and enhance diagnostic accuracy in challenging cases. Strengthening the cardiological OBI appears essential for addressing ED pressures and improving specialized patient care.

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How to Cite

Monti, M., Cappannelli, S., Cardile, M., Cosmi, D., Di Pasquale, T., Cappannelli, M., Fagotti, J., Quadalti, P., Marvardi, M., Marchetti, R., & Capponi, E. (2024). The importance of the cardiology observation unit in the management of patients with cardiovascular diseases: a pilot project. Italian Journal of Medicine, 18(4). https://doi.org/10.4081/itjm.2024.1840
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