Traditional REU Capacity Increase

Rapid Evaluation Unit (REU)

The method that we believe shows the most promise and seems to be on its way to becoming the standard method for rapid effective change for EDs nationally is the Rapid Evaluations Unit. There are a number of common names for this unit including Rapid Assessment Unit (RAU) and Rapid Treatment Unit (RTU) in addition to others. We generally refer to these under the most frequent name the REU. The reason these methods are so effective is that if they are implemented appropriately, they truly integrate innovative process enhancements, more exciting ED design features and a new model for physician and nursing functions. In a well executed program it all comes together to produce a new high-performance unit that doubles the capacity of a traditional ED bed. The transformation needs to encompass the entire department and have the support of the entire institution. It is too easy to look at this as a grown up Fast Track. In fact it will fail horribly if it is not viewed in the context of an entire ED rapid change process with an area that to the untrained eye, may look a lot like the old Fast Track. It is not.

The REU Method Employs a Greeter to perform a Mini-Reg and deliver a patient immediately to a bed in the REU. Triage and Registration Areas are closed off or re-used. Patient "Stretcher Time" is managed aggressively. We utilize an internal clinical waiting area staffed by a nurse and a tech to free up beds from non-acute patients and to facilitate discharge.

Once the most appropriate method is selected for a particular ED, the success of the ED will come down to how well the method is implemented. These programs are extremely complex and rapid change of this magnitude is not so simple to execute. Emergenuity has recognized the complexity of utilizing these high performance methods and has more experience than any other organization. We understand how important it is to implement a program in a way that builds on team strength and incorporates that strength into the final design model. We developed the PDIM² program to assure proper sequencing of solutions so that the maximum performance is extracted from any process and redesign project. The REU is the most cost effective way to create new capacity by assuring the lowest capital investment necessary and a lower cost of operations.