ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: There is an increased influx of patients needing admission. Introducing an acute medical unit (AMU) may increase the admission capacity without increasing the total number of beds. METHODS: Data collected during the first four years after implementation of an AMU in an academic tertiary care center in Amsterdam were analyzed. RESULTS: A 24 bed unit was realized. The total number of admissions increased in the first year with 977 (16%), with an additional 4.1% increase after 2 years with stabilization thereafter. The length of stay decreased, the absolute number of refusals declined, the number of readmissions remained unchanged. CONCLUSION: Introduction of AMUs in overcrowded services could be beneficial in improving the strain on the acute healthcare systems.
