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
Initiative Type
Model of Care
Status
Close
Added
19 July 2017
Last updated
26 May 2023
Summary
Key dates
Jul 2009
Implementation sites
Queensland Health Emergency Departments
Partnerships
Queensland Ambulance Service
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.