Evaluation of MidCentral DHB's Medical Assessment and Planning Unit (MAPU)

Description

The Medical Assessment and Planning Unit (MAPU) in Palmerston North Hospital was opened in August 2009 and currently has 13 commissioned beds.

MidCentral Health's Medical Assessment and Planning Unit (MAPU) is a designated hospital ward that is specifically staffed and equipped to receive medical patients for assessment, care and treatment for up to a designated period (usually 36-48 hours) prior to transfer to medical wards or home if appropriate.
An assessment is done and all the necessary initial treatment is provided. After assessment, a decision is made to either discharge patients directly home or admit them to specialist wards for further treatment.

Since the introduction of MAPU, the average length of stay (ALOS) within medical services has decreased from 5.15 days (with increasing trend) in 2008/09 to 4.55 days in 2009/10. This has resulted in a reduced overall ALOS for the Medical line of 1,162 beddays “saved”.

What Worked Well

The success of MAPU has been a team effort, particularly through leadership and commitment at all levels. The MAPU team have the right people and have excellent support services working together to improve the patient journey and the quality and safety of patient care.

Location

Mid Central

Setting

Hospital

Target Population

All

Areas of Focus

Quality Improvement, Ward

Organisation

MidCentral Health

Contact Person

Lyn Horgan

Phone

06 350 8825

Email