Posted September 12, 2024
Allison Plata, MSN, RN, CMSRN, EBP-C
Allison Plata is a Clinical Nurse Specialist Intern for medical/surgical and progressive care units at Summa Health. She recently graduated from Kent State University with her Masters of Science in Nursing. She holds national certifications in Certified Medical Surgical Registered Nurse and Evidence Based Practice Certification. She has been a nurse since 2015 and before becoming a nurse, she was a high school science teacher and EMT-Basic/Firefighter. Her passion has been to merge her love for teaching/mentoring and nursing which is her reason for returning to obtain her Clinical Nurse Specialist.
Scott Webb (Host): There are different levels of care once you've been admitted to the hospital, and it's understandable to have some questions about these levels and in general what we can expect during a hospital stay and once we've been discharged. And joining me today to help answer some of these questions is Allison Plata. She's a clinical nurse specialist with Summa Health.
This is Healthy Vitals, a podcast from Summa Health. I'm Scott Webb. Allison, it's nice to have you here today. We're going to talk about hospital stay expectations. In other words, what can people expect, you know, when they're in the hospital? So, a lot of good questions, things to sort through, probably questions on people's minds. Let's start with here. Let's start with the levels of care. I've always wanted to ask an expert. So, you know, ICU versus MS versus PCU and so on. I'll have you discuss the levels of care.
Allison Plata: So when a patient is admitted to the hospital, there are four common different areas that a patient is admitted to. Those are the Clinical Decision Unit, which is the CDU, a medical-surgical unit or med-surg or MS unit, the progressive care unit or PCU, and then there's also the ICU or intensive care units. These areas provide a different level of patient monitoring and interventions based on their illness or injury that they come in with. All four of these areas provide individualized, evidence-based patient care based on their individual needs. Think of these units as different rungs on a ladder, and the higher you go on the ladder, the more monitoring interventions and the lower the patient-to-nurse ratio you get during that phase of care.
So, the bottom rung is the clinical decision unit or CDU, which is an observation unit in which if you're not well enough to go home but you need a little more monitoring or testing, you go to the CDU. The next area is the medical-surgical unit that provides care with more frequent monitoring for patients who have medical or surgical needs, and they prepare you for the next steps after admission. The next higher rung is the progressive care units, and this unit is for patients who require more frequent monitoring and interventions than a patient on a medical-surgical unit, again, all based on their patient condition. And the last and the highest rung on the ladder is the intensive care unit, and that is the highest level of care for our sickest patients.
Host: Yeah, it makes sense. And it makes sense that you guys abbreviate these things, ICU, right? Versus intensive care unit and so forth. And really, it's a good analogy, kind of like working your way up the ladder when you're there and when you're admitted, and I was mentioning to you before we got rolling here, I don't know exactly what that means, right? So, what does it mean to be admitted?
Allison Plata: Yeah, perfect question. So, being admitted means that a doctor has determined that you need medical care that you can't get at home, and you need further testing or interventions to help get you back to your baseline. And being admitted can lead us to be scared and bring up feelings of fear or anxiety, either from your own personal experiences or from family or friends that have been admitted.
And a few ways that we can help those feelings of anxiety or fear is to ask any and all questions about your plan of care. And if you don't understand your plan of care, please ask for an explanation and make sure to let the staff know, the doctors, the nurses, the aides, physical therapy, occupational therapy, anyone that you interact with, know how you're feeling or if you need anything.
Host: Yeah, that's good advice. Just encouraging folks to advocate for themselves. If they don't know the answers, ask the questions, of course. And knock on, I guess, fake wood here at my desk, Alison, but I've never stayed in the hospital, I've never been admitted to the hospital, so I really don't know what to expect. Like on a day-to-day basis, you know, what should my expectations be if I'm admitted into the hospital?
Allison Plata: Well, good for you. I hope that, you know, that we stay away from a hospitalization for the future here for you. Every day, we strive to provide care beyond expectations for every patient. Every day, there are goals that will be set in collaboration with you, the provider, the nurse, physical therapy, occupational therapy, the social work, the transitional care coordinator, and these goals will be personalized to your current situation and based on your needs to get back to your baseline. These may include working with physical therapy or occupational therapy, increasing your ambulating, meaning we get you up and walk you more frequently, being out of bed to the chair during meals, going to Radiology for further imaging, or having tests or procedures completed.
Other things that you could do to help your plan of care if it was not possible and not emergent for why you came into the hospital is to bring a full list of medications that you're currently taking and, if applicable, a living will or a healthcare power of attorney.
Host: Yeah. And you emphasized earlier about asking questions, right? If we have questions, go ahead and ask them of the professionals that are there to take care of us. And you also touched on evidence-based care and you and I were chatting before we got rolling here about what exactly does that mean? And do all hospital systems base everything in evidence and maybe that's a separate podcast. But for Summa Health specifically, maybe you can talk about that again, the importance of asking questions and what does that mean. What does evidence-based care mean?
Allison Plata: So, evidence-based care means that we are striving to make sure that everything that we are doing for our patient is based on the evidence. So, there are studies and articles out there that have people doing great work, research, and that they've published it. And then, we take that evidence that shows all this great work and all these wonderful outcomes, and we provide those in our care, and we make sure that everything that we are doing is based on evidence and not just on a preference.
Host: Yeah, it makes sense. You know, when you say it out loud, like, well, of course it would be based in the evidence, based in science and research and all of those important things. This has been really helpful today. I was telling you before we got rolling, you know, that these podcasts are for folks who want some free medical advice, some free medical information that have these questions and don't get a chance to ask. So, good for me that I get to ask you these questions and just want to finish up and talk about sort of discharge procedures or being discharged home or our SNF plans. Like, how does that work?
Allison Plata: SNF stands for skilled nursing facility. And I think every nursing instructor or NCLEX provider would be happy to hear me say the statement that we think about discharge planning when the patient is admitted. During the hospital stay, the provider, the nurse, social worker, those transitional care coordinators, physical therapy, occupational therapy, are all working together to determine the safest and most appropriate place for the patient to go once they're admitted. There are four common locations that patients can go home, one of those being that SNF or that skilled nursing facility. We love our acronyms in healthcare.
Scott Webb: We sure do.
Allison Plata: Another one is home. Another one is an acute rehab facility. And then, another is an acronym called an LTAC, or a long-term acute care hospital. The difference between these different locations are the amount of physical therapy or occupational therapy time that a patient could have, ability to treat complex wounds. Are they able to provide long-term antibiotics or even take care of a patient who has a tracheostomy, which is a hole in the neck for us to help you breathe and on a ventilator, a machine that helps it acts like a lung to help the patient breathe. So, it varies. At home, you can get in-home rehab, or you can have physical therapy, occupational therapy come to your home to help you, or get your antibiotics at home, or maybe you need a little bit more care, you would go to that skilled nursing facility or maybe you can even tolerate more aggressive rehab, and that would be that acute rehabilitation facility, or maybe you need more intensive care where maybe you're intubated, more complex wounds, more antibiotics, and that would be the LTAC, the long-term acute care hospital.
Host: Yeah. Right. It's like home can mean home. Of course, we all know what home is because it's home. I'm in my home right now. So, there's home. But when you're discharged home, there's different levels of care, multidisciplinary, comprehensive, you know, care, just as we find in the hospitals you went through earlier, the latter, and the levels of care at the hospital. So, this has been really good. Helped me sort all this out of my mind. I'm sure great for listeners as well. So, thanks so much.
Allison Plata: Thank you.
Host: And for more information, go to summahealth.org/cci. And if you enjoyed this episode of Healthy Vitals, we'd love it if you'd leave us a review. Your review helps others find our educational content. I'm Scott Webb. Thanks for listening, and we'll talk again next time.
Allison Plata, MSN, RN, CMSRN, EBP-C
Receive the Summa Health eNewsletter for the latest health tips, advice and updates.
Thank you for subscribing to the Vitality eNewsletter.
We're sorry, there was an error while processing your request. Please try again.
If you’re looking for a new sport or hobby that positively impacts your health, look no further than the game of golf. Golfing is an excellent form of exercise that scores you many physical and mental health benefits.
Golf may not appear to be a physically demanding sport as it involves standing still for each shot and hitting a stationary ball. Yet, one round of golf involves walking for hours and using your brain to calculate distances and challenging shots. Plus,…
As Ohio shifts from its gray season to summer sun, the temperature rises and so does your skin's risk for common heat-related conditions like sunburn, sun poisoning and heat rash. While they share similar causes — heat and sun exposure — their symptoms and treatments differ. Learning the important details and differences about these conditions will give you everything you need to know to stay safe and comfortable under the summer sun.
It is more…
Dry, frigid temperatures, harsh winds and low humidity are hallmarks of winter weather. Couple that with dry indoor heat and this time of year can wreak havoc on your skin if it’s not protected.
Winter elements cause dryness, redness and flaking, damaging your skin barrier, which can make it harder to hold moisture. This can lead to further dryness, irritation, itching and even cracking.
What’s the key to combating dry skin? Moisture! So, if you haven’t…
When healthcare providers need to see inside your body, the type of imaging test they recommend will depend on your injury or condition. Each modality is unique, creating imagery based on distinct technology and equipment, and offers a different purpose and set of advantages for making an accurate diagnosis.
For instance, if doctors need to check for a concussion, a CT scan is the best option for your exam. But if you suspect a broken bone, X-Ray is the better choice.&…
People are innately social creatures. Even the most introverted crave social interaction from time to time. And, that’s good news. Social interaction is good for our minds, bodies and souls.
In fact, studies show when you have a satisfying relationship with a romantic partner, family, friends, neighbors, co-workers or others, you’re happier, have fewer health problems and live longer. In contrast, people who are lonely or socially isolated are linked to poorer…
Summer is synonymous with fun in the sun. From swimming to hiking and biking to tennis, golf and more, it’s a season to enjoy the great outdoors. But as temperatures and humidity rise, so do the dangers of heat illness.
According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, more than 700 people are killed by extreme heat every year in this country. Infants and people aged 65 or older, especially those with chronic conditions, are most at risk for heat…
Summer often brings some much-needed fun in the sun. Longer days lead to outdoor activities for the whole family. However, summer months also bring forth a host of health safety concerns. Here are six concerns to recognize and tips on how to have a safe and enjoyable summer.
We all love to catch some rays but too much time in the sun can make for a painful sunburn. Usually within a few hours, skin reddens and becomes painful to the touch. A normal sunburn can be handled…
Despite our best intentions and precautionary measures to protect our skin from the hot, blazing sun, many of us have suffered from sunburn at one time or another. But it’s no big deal if you’ve only been burned a few times, right? Wrong.
The dangers of even one sunburn go far beyond the short-term pain, redness and swelling. After the redness fades, lasting damage remains.
When your skin absorbs ultraviolet (UV) radiation from sunlight, it can damage the genetic…
Air quality is measured through the Air Quality Index (AQI). The AQI is an index for reporting daily air quality. It informs you about how clean or polluted the air is in your area and what associated health effects might concern you.
AQI tracks harmful foreign substances, generally gasses and particulates, that have reached harmful levels in the air. AQI runs from 0 to 500; the higher the AQI value, the greater level of air pollution and health concerns. For example, an…
Proper nutrition and hydration is always important, not only on race day! Consistently consuming enough carbohydrates, and being adequately hydrated, supports training needs and recovery.
Guidelines for carbohydrate intake should be fine-tuned for each individual and depend on training intensity. According to the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, Dietitians of Canada, and ACSM, moderate-high intensity endurance exercise lasting 1-3 h/day may require between 6-10 g/kg/…
Reviewed August 2025
For many of us, chickenpox is a distant memory. But, unfortunately, this childhood illness can come back to haunt us later in life in the form of shingles.
The same virus that causes chickenpox can cause shingles, a viral infection to the nerves that results in a painful rash. About 1 in 3 people will get shingles, according to the National Institutes of Health.
After someone has been infected with chickenpox, the virus enters their nervous system and lies…
It’s the moment you’ve been waiting for: you’re pregnant! With so much to do to get ready for baby — purchase a crib, choose a name, install the car seat — where should you begin?
First things first: Choosing the right provider to partner with you on this magical 40-week journey should be a top priority on your to-do list. Having a strong relationship with your obstetrician (OB) or certified nurse midwife(CNM) is important in promoting a healthy…
Dr. Dmitri Kolychev, a neurologist at Summa Health, discusses the influx of Multiple Sclerosis diagnoses in the United States. Learn about MS symptoms, treatment options, and more in this episode of Healthy Vitals.
Summa Health is helping to educate and employ young adults with disabilities one student at a time through Project SEARCH.
Since 2005, Summa Health has partnered with the Six District Educational Compact, a regional collaborative that provides career-technical education programs, to offer high-school students a one-year, school-to-work transition program on-site. Modeled after the growing Project SEARCHnational program, the initiative is designed to help qualified students…
Dr. Dankoff provides an overview of testicular cancer. Learn about symptoms, prevention, and treatment options.
Craig Wood leads a discussion focusing on occupational therapy, its benefits, and why he got into the field.
Iriel Hopkins and Marlo Schmidt discuss ways in which Summa Health System contributes to a healthier community.
Have you ever walked off a boat, stepped off a rollercoaster or gotten out of a car only to feel nauseous, dizzy and otherwise awful? That’s motion sickness. Anyone can experience it — one in three people do in their lifetime, in fact — but it’s most common in children and pregnant women.
Typically, motion sickness occurs with any form of travel, whether by car, bus, train, airplane or boat. Sometimes amusement rides can cause it, too.…
Karen Frantz DeSeptis and Ericka Malone lead a discussion on SIDS, and important information you need to know.
Natalie Hiltbrand, an Osteoporosis Specialist at Summa Health, leads a discussion on osteoporosis treatment, as well as prevention.
Cuts from household items, such as knives, broken glass or needles, are commonplace. All it takes is a slip of the knife during meal prep or a broken glass while cleaning up and suddenly, you’re bleeding. Now what?
Immediately apply pressure on the area with a tissue, gauze pad or clean cloth to stop any bleeding. It should stop after a few minutes, so don’t remove the gauze until you’ve applied pressure for two to three minutes. Removing the cloth too soon…
You may have heard someone comment on a shared feature that you have with a family member, or heard someone is the spitting image of a relative. It’s true family members share similar looks, but they also share genes — which aren’t as easy to see. For instance, you may be unaware that you also share your great-grandmother’s increased risk for heart disease.
When it comes to your health, knowing your family’s traits that you can’t see…
When you think of home, you often think of it as your safe haven from the outside world. It’s your safe space you get to return to every night.
The sobering reality, however, is more than 50 percent of unintentional injuries happen in or around the home, according to the National Security Council (NSC). People of certain ages, especially young children and the elderly, are more susceptible to serious injury from household hazards.
The good news is many of them are…
Nosebleeds are very common and can strike at any time. While they can look scary with blood trickling out your nose, the good news is nosebleeds are rarely serious.
But you may be wondering, what is causing this messy nuisance?
There are many reasons why you could be getting nosebleeds. The most common cause is dry air. During the winter months, dry household heat and cold, dry air outside can irritate nasal membranes and trigger nosebleeds.
Other reasons for nosebleeds can…
Chronic, severe pain from autoimmune diseases can have a detrimental impact on your health, work and relationships. When you’re suffering from chronic pain day in and day out, it’s only natural that you become less active, antisocial, moody and find it difficult to sleep.
Not to mention, the stress, anxiety and even depression that comes from dealing with pain can make it even worse.
Autoimmune diseases are a chronic condition in which your immune system…
Last winter, the community took several precautions to help stop the spread of COVID-19. From masks and social distancing to virtual work and school to cancelled events, an unforeseen positive side effect was a less intense flu season.
Flu cases documented during last year’s flu season were historically low by a wide margin. Medical professionals haven’t seen anything like it.
So with many precautions still in place amidst an ongoing pandemic, you may be…
Updated June 2025
For many, summertime is not complete until one activity has been done—a campfire! From gooey s’mores and roasted hot dogs to sharing ghost stories, campfires are a sure-fire way to get into the summery spirit, all while surrounded by family and friends.
Unfortunately, a burn from the campfire can quickly put a damper on those summertime memories. As one of the most dangerous activities without the proper burn prevention and protocols in place,…
Summer often brings some much-needed fun in the sun. But as temperatures and humidity rise, so do the dangers of heat illness. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, more than 600 people are killed by extreme heat every year in this country.
Infants and people aged 65 or older, especially those with chronic conditions, are most at risk for heat illness. However, it can affect anyone, even young athletes and those in good physical condition.
The good news…
Bladder cancer is the most common urologic cancer in both men and women. Each year, about 57,000 men and 18,000 women are diagnosed with the disease, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
But, urologic cancers don’t only affect the bladder. They also can affect the kidneys, ureter (tubes that carry urine from the kidneys to the bladder), urethra, and specifically in men, the penis, prostate and testicles.
In fact, the CDC states prostate…
Winter is upon us — freezing temperatures, snow flurries and whipping winds — and we all know what that means. It’s time to bust out our heavy, winter coats, hats, gloves and scarves to keep us warm on these frigid days. But, don’t forget about your feet, too. It’s important to always wear winter shoes and boots to protect them against the harsh elements.
Lower temperatures can be hard on your extremities, especially your feet. Exposure to cold air causes the body to slow…
You know the saying, “Time heals all wounds.”? Unfortunately, that’s not necessarily true. Chronic wounds can linger for weeks, even months, and in many cases don’t heal without medical intervention.
A wound is considered chronic if it has not healed significantly in four weeks or completely in eight weeks. If you’re suffering from a wound or sore that isn’t showing any signs of healing, talk to your doctor. If left untreated, chronic…
Suddenly, you wake up in the middle of the night with a bellyache. It starts off as a dull pain, but then quickly intensifies and seems to move down your torso. So, you immediately jump on your computer or phone to search for various conditions you could be suffering from. Could it be a stomach virus, or maybe an ulcer or worse yet, stomach cancer?
If this sounds familiar, you may be suffering from cyberchondria. It’s a hybrid term for cyberspace and hypochondria (now…
One of the best and most effective ways to avoid getting sick and spreading germs to others is by washing your hands properly and often. It doesn’t take much time or effort and offers a very effective means of preventing the spread of illnesses ranging from viruses like cold and flu to other bacteria or viruses. As you touch people, surfaces and objects throughout the day, you gather germs on your hands. You can infect yourself with these germs by touching your face;…
Updated April 2025 by Shivonne Suttles, M.D.
According to the CDC, the death rate for African Americans has declined more than 25 percent over the past 17 years, especially for those 65-years and older. However, new research shows younger African Americans are living with or dying from diseases most often found in Caucasians much later in life.
The African American community should be aware of a few serious health concerns that statistically affect them at higher rates. If you…
Your primary care provider (PCP) should be your partner in ensuring you are your best and healthiest self, which is why it is so important to have a strong and communicative relationship with them. When you meet with your PCP for a checkup or an annual visit, the provider typically has a limited amount of time they can spend with you, so it’s important you go in prepared with a list of questions to get the most out of your appointment. Here are a few questions you…
Summer’s finally here and we’re all about having fun in the sun – but with the heat, summer often brings along some bumps and bruises. Here are a few tips on how to avoid common summer hazards so you can keep the good times rolling.
Mosquito Bites:
Those itchy little bites can be more than just annoying – mosquitos can carry diseases like West Nile virus. Travel is common in the summer and mosquito bites in other areas of North America can also put you…
Skin cancer is by far the most common cancer in the US and with summer sun on the horizon, proper protection should be priority number one. While you should practice sun safety year round, you should monitor your sun exposure closer during these longer, hotter days.
Sunscreen, long sleeves and a hat are the easiest ways to protect your skin, but did you know there are common everyday items that could increase your skin’s sensitivity to the sun?
Normally associated more with females than males, urinary incontinence affects at least 25 million Americans each year. And while 75 percent are female, the issue can affect any person, at any age.
Interesting fact: Incontinence is not a disease, it is always a symptom or cause of something else. There are at least 4 different types of incontinence and a host of causes and issues that can cause bladder leakage.
According the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, almost 25 percent of new prescriptions are never filled at the pharmacy. Even more staggering is the fact that medication is not taken as prescribed up to 50 percent of the time. Before your primary care physician (PCP) prescribes any medication, we review all medical history, possible allergies and evaluate and treat the cause for your visit.
There are many different reasons a PCP may prescribe new medication:
You may have heard of the health benefits of vitamin D in the fight against the common cold.
A British investigation published in February 2017 concluded that taking vitamin D supplements can help protect against respiratory infections like colds, bronchitis and pneumonia. The researchers looked at data from 25 clinical trials involving some 11,000 patients from 14 countries and found a significant but modest benefit. These results occurred mostly among those…