Emory Saint Joseph's hosted an Open House and Blessing of the new 13-bed Clinical Decision Unit (CDU), located adjacent to the Emergency Department (ED). ED patients requiring additional observation and medical care are transferred to the CDU, which offers private rooms in a comfortable setting.

The observation unit provides monitoring, diagnostic testing and assessment of symptoms to determine whether patients will require further treatment as an inpatient or can be safely discharged home. With the establishment of the CDU, Emory Saint Joseph's is focused on reducing length of hospitalization and health care costs for patients.

Some of the types of patients admitted in the CDU would be those with chest pain, TIA, dehydration, and others. Each patient is cared for by a staff consisting of CDU Director Shelley Burris, ED Medical Director Dr. Kenneth Miller, mid-level providers,
registered nurses and nurse techs.

"Continued quality and compassionate care is our primary goal, and we are focused on providing the best care possible and making it a great experience for the patient," said Burris.