Va issues guidance on hospital patients

RICHMOND, Va. (AP) - Virginia health officials are offering hospitals suggestions on managing patients.

State Health Commissioner Karen Remley announced the new guidance on Wednesday to help hospitals develop policies and procedures for boarding admitted patients.

Boarding is the term used for keeping admitted patients in either the emergency department or some other location of the hospital while awaiting an inpatient bed.

Officials say the information will help hospitals better manage patients and promote improved care. They say it's important because federal health care reforms could mean more people making trips to the hospital.

The guidance was a collaboration between the health department, the Virginia Hospital and Healthcare Association and the Virginia College of Emergency Physicians.