Hospitals Add ED Capacity Without New Construction, Becker's Reports
In a Becker's Hospital Review roundup, hospitals facing ED crowding and tight capital budgets are finding ways to add effective capacity without building new beds, as more states ban ambulance diversion. Examples include a seated-treatment decision tool tested at Mayo Clinic Arizona, psychiatric crisis units (EmPATH) run by MUSC Health and UK HealthCare, Children's Health's asthma prevention program, leased skilled nursing beds at Denver Health and WellSpan Health, a transitional care unit at Northwell Mather Hospital, and ED workflow redesigns at Montefiore Einstein and Banner Estrella. MUSC Health noted that Medicaid's roughly $400-a-day rate for psychiatric crisis units after the first 24 hours is insufficient for long-term sustainability. These strategies rely on existing space, staff reallocation, and partnerships rather than new facility construction.