Extended clinical observation for patients in the Critical Decision Unit of Hurley's Emergency Department

The Emergency Department at Hurley Medical Center includes a Critical Decision Unit (CDU) that operates 24 hours per day, 365 days of the year. The CDU is an area where we can provide short-term observation and/or other additional care to emergency patients who may not require a full inpatient admission to Hurley Medical Center. The unit includes several beds dedicated to observation patients, providing them with a more comfortable experience while their condition is being assessed.

For patients with certain symptoms, a period of extended clinical observation can be very important. For example, a typical CDU patient might arrive at the emergency room because he/she is experiencing chest pains. This patient would be assessed immediately for a possible heart attack. If the initial testing and assessments do not point to a heart attack, but the patient is still experiencing pain, the patient then would be transferred to the CDU for further observation, testing and procedures to help identify and correct the cause of the symptoms. If a heart attack is confirmed, the patient can be immediately admitted to Hurley Medical Center’s Cardiology Department. If the tests show that the chest pain is heartburn, muscle pain, or a non-cardiac problem, the patient can be allowed to return home or will be referred to an appropriate medical professional.

A more accurate diagnosis, more effective treatment and better patient outcomes 

Other conditions for which a period of time spent in the Hurley CDU can help provide a more accurate diagnosis, more effective treatment and better patient outcomes include stroke, asthma, COPD and abdominal pain.