A transit lounge is a dedicated area preferably near the hospital entrance that helps timely transfer of patients to increase emergency department (ED) and ward bed availability. It can be used as an interim waiting area for patients waiting discharge, bed allocation on admission, or an outpatient appointment.
Transit Lounges
Summary
Aim
Improving patient flow by ensuring the patient receives safe and appropriate nursing care in the right environment, at the same time enabling inpatient beds to be ready and waiting for acutely ill patients.
Benefits
Transit lounges is beneficial when:
- access block from ED to wards
- large numbers of patients waiting in acute beds for discharge
- large volume of patient throughput
Background
Transit Lounges or Transit Care Hubs were developed to accommodate patients waiting for an appointment, admission or discharge, to ensure patients receive safe and appropriate care in the right environment, while enabling inpatient beds to be available for acutely ill patents.
Solutions Implemented
A variety of Transit/Discharge Lounges have been implemented across service delivery sites, dependent upon local requirements. Some services discharge the patient prior to their arrival in the Transit Lounge, others discharge the patient when they leave the Transit/Discharge Lounge.
Evaluation and Results
An overall formal evaluation of Transit/Discharge Lounges has not been undertaken, however local sites may have evaluated locally, particularly with respect to reducing length of stay or time in emergency department.