Ambulatory Emergency Care Unit: Ambulatory Care delivers clinical care which may include diagnosis, observation, treatment and rehabilitation, not provided within the traditional hospital bed base or within the traditional out-patient services that can be provided across the primary / secondary care interface.
Leaflet Details
| Title | Ambulatory Emergency Care Unit |
| Department | AECU |
| Author(s) | Sally Omowa |
| Review Date | January 2021 |
| Next Review | January 2023 |
| Download | A4 Handout PDF |
| Accessibility Options | Click on the Recite Me button to show our accessibility resources |
Patient Information
Why has Ambulatory Emergency Care Unit (AECU) been introduced?
The AECU has been introduced as part of the Emergency services at St Peters hospital. It is situated adjacent to AMU on level 2, main Outpatient department.
Ambulatory Care delivers clinical care which may include diagnosis, observation, treatment and rehabilitation, not provided within the traditional hospital bed base or within the traditional out-patient services that can be provided across the primary / secondary care interface. The key principle of AECU is to manage significant proportion of patients who require emergency care but on the same day without the need of hospital admission. If implemented efficiently, AECU has the potential to deliver high quality emergency services and a good patient experience in a cost effective manner.
Patients are not able to access the unit directly; a referral by your General Practitioner (GP) or the doctors by the Emergency Department needs be made.
Aims of Ambulatory Emergency Care Unit
- Improve patient experience and safety.
- To redirect ambulatory medical patients from the medical-take where appropriate, reducing the number of ambulatory patients in ED.
- Reduced inappropriate hospital admissions
- To reduce time spent in hospitals
- To provide same-day medical diagnostic services, thereby facilitating same day discharge.
- Improve patient experience
Who’s who in AECU?
The unit is led by a medical consultant and a unit manager who is responsible for ensuring that you receive the best quality medical / Nursing care. The unit manager is responsible for the daily management / co-ordination of the unit.
A Deputy Sister is responsible on a daily basis to ensure that patients are seen in a timely manner and respective medical plans are carried out to facilitate timely discharge.
Qualified Nursing staff and health care assistants will be there to deliver the care that has been agreed by the medical team.
What to expect on arrival?
On arrival on to AECU you will be greeted by one of the members of the nursing staff or the receptionist. After being admitted onto the system, one of the nurses will take you into the assessment area where you will have your initial assessment. They will ask some general questions in regards to your health and why you have been referred by your doctor.
Some of the routine diagnostic tests that are carried out in AECU are:-
- Carrying out your observations i.e. Blood pressure, Pulse, Temperature, Respiratory rate, oxygen level.
- Electrocardiogram (ECG). It is a painless procedure where you will have some stickers placed on your chest, limbs and some wires attached to see how your heart is.
- Routine Blood Tests
- CT scans
- Ultra Sound Scans
- Blood Glucose Test
What to expect throughout the day?
After your initial assessment you will be advised by the nursing staff to go off for coffee unless there are other investigations needed to be carried out. Usually the blood test results take roughly about one and half hours to come back then a member of the medical team i.e. junior doctor will see you. Not every patient will be seen by a consultant, it all depends on the medical condition that you have presented with.
The nursing staff will ensure all the medical plans are carried out in a timely manner and will chase up any scans that are required to make the appropriate diagnosis so the appropriate treatment can be commenced. They will do their best to update you throughout your journey but we would encourage you to ask if you have some unanswered questions. Any member of the staff would be happy to help!
The medical / nursing staff will make every effort to ensure waiting time is kept to a minimum but average waiting time is 3-4 hours. Also depending on your medical condition the wait can be longer. Please ensure you are accompanied by one relative only as the department tends to get busy throughout the day.
During Covid-19 period, the hospital is unable to accommodate relatives unless there is a special need which should be discuss with the team.
Some of the conditions seen in AECU but not limited to:-
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Regular Medication
If you are currently taking any form of medication it is advised that you bring the list of medication you are on.
Refreshments
Light refreshments and drinks i.e. tea, coffee, water is available as a self-service in the unit. Refreshments are also available on the ground floor cafe, by the main entrance.
Discharge and Follow-up
Once you have been seen by the medical team and have been given the green light to go, please let the nursing staff know you are leaving so they can make sure you have everything that you require i.e. any new medications / prescriptions. Discharge letters will either be given to you on the day or sent to you via post along with your GP.
If there are any follow up appointments arranged by the doctor please see a member of nursing staff so they can give you an appointment slot. Whilst awaiting your appointment, please contact the unit if any concern. In the event of sudden deterioration, please attend the Emergency Department.
If you do not require a follow up you will be discharged to the care of your GP.
When are we available?
The AECU is currently open Monday - Friday from 8AM till 8PM with the last referral being accepted no later than 17:00 hrs. Saturday - Sunday from 9am till 6pm with last referral being accepted no later than 16:00hrs.
Due to winter pressures and Covid19 the unit will be open until 22:00hrs Monday to Friday with last referral being accepted no later than 19:00hrs. This will be reviewed in March 2021.
You can contact AECU directly on 01932 726439 or 01932 722974.
AECU Feedback
The AECU aims to provide high quality service. In order to improve our services so we can achieve our aim to better patient experience we would welcome your feedback on the services received during your visit. We would be very grateful if you will kindly take some time to complete the feedback test via our Viewpoint portal in the unit or alternatively visit http://ashfordstpeters.vptell.me/ .
If you find you are unhappy about something please speak to the sister in charge, if not the unit manager.
