MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Location: file:///C:/EA09C636/Discharge_Lounge_Policies_CUH_Apr_2006.htm Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable Content-Type: text/html; charset="us-ascii" CORK UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL

CORK UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL

 

TRANSFER /DISCHARGE LOUNGE OPERATIONAL POLICIES

 

        &= nbsp;           &nbs= p;            &= nbsp;           &nbs= p;  APRIL 2006.

 

 

The transfer /discharge lounge is being introduced as a pilot projec= t as part of the initiatives in dealing with Emergency Department overcrowding.<= o:p>

 It is being establishe= d to facilitate patients vacating ward beds earlier in the day following dischar= ge.

It will also accommodate patients who have been discharged from the Emergency Department awaiting transport.

The transfer /discharge lounge will be situated in the old Accident = and Emergency ward area on the ground floor.

 

Hours of opening:  08.00 hrs – 17.30 hrs.

 

Last patients accepted to transfer /discharge lounge is 16.00hrs- Mo= nday to Thursday and 15:00hrs of Fridays.

Discharge Lounge is closed on Saturdays and Sundays.

 =

Staffing:

 

2 General Trained Nurses. 

1 Nurse to work 08.00hrs - 16.30hrs Monday to Thursday. 08.00 – 15.30 hrs on Friday.

1 Nurse to work 09.00hrs – 17.30hrs Monday to Thursday. 09.00 -16:30 hrs on Friday.

1  Housekeeper.

I   Porter.

 

 

ELIGIBLE PATIENTS FOR TR= ANSFER /DISCHARGE LOUNGE

 

Patients who no longer require medical care and who have been discha= rged by the medical team.(note this does not include patients who are medically discharged but have complex discharge issues.

Patients who are for transfer to other hospitals, = for whom the ambulance has been booked and confirmed.=


RESPONSIBILITY OF THE WA= RD NURSING STAFF

 

  • To ide= ntify patients on the afternoon round to the discharge lounge staff whose discharge is planned for the following day.
  • To ide= ntify patients on the morning round for discharge that morning.
  • To ide= ntify potential discharges for that afternoon.
  • To ide= ntify to radiology /phlebotomy/ laboratories the patients that require pre discharge prioritisation.
  • To pri= oritise personal cares for those patients suitable for transfer to the dischar= ge lounge.
  • To have patients ready to transfer by 09.30hrs.
  • To ens= ure that all relevant documentation is complete.
  • To ens= ure that the patient and family have been informed.
  • To ens= ure that all patient identification bands are in place.
  • To ens= ure that any oral medication the patient requires prior to discharge is transfe= rred to the discharge lounge with the patient.
  • To ens= ure that any ambulance required for transfer to another agency is booked prior = to transfer to the transfer /discharge lounge.
  • To ens= ure that the patient is transferred on screen to the discharge lounge.
  • To tra= nsfer all notes /x-rays/ including nursing notes and drug prescription chart= s to the Transfer /Discharge Lounge.
  • In the= event of discharge documentation not being complete, the patient can be transferred and the relevant team contacted from the transfer /dischar= ge lounge.
  • To com= mence the discharge checklist.
  • To tel= ephone the transfer /discharge lounge as patients are ready for transfer.

 

 

RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE TRANSFER /DISCHARGE LOUNGE NURSING STAFF

 =

RGN COMMENCING AT 08:00

 

  • To col= lect a list of patients from the emergency department awa= iting beds.
  • To com= mence ward rounds using the sheet detailing all wards and identify am/pm and potential discharges.
  • Photoc= opy the list and give a copy to Bed Management.
  • Print = off a list of the previous day’s discharges and these will be checked = with individual wards on the afternoon round.

 

RGN COMMENCING AT 09:00<= o:p>

 

  • Check = the resuscitation trolley.
  • Give a= ll of the patient charts to the porter to return to Health Records and ensure they are signed back.
  • Give a= ll of the x-rays to the porter to return to radiology and ensure they are si= gned back.
  • Be rea= dy to accept the first patient before 09.30hrs.

 =

 

 

RGN RESPONSIBILITIES CONT= INUED

 

  • Patient emergencies will be dealt with as per hospital policy.
  • In the unlikely event of a patient requiring medical attention, the relevant inpatient team will be contacted first.
  • Patien= ts requiring stretcher transfer will be transferred no sooner than one ho= ur prior to ambulance estimated time of arrival.
  • A Disc= harge list will be completed and signed by the nurse in the transfer /discha= rge lounge for every patient.
  • Patien= ts must be discharged from Computer when they leave the discharge lounge.=
  • Essent= ial components of discharge
      • Writ= ten discharge checklist.
      • Pre –discharge education including education in self –medication.
      • -
      • Writ= ten discharge summary (HIPE form)
      • Prov= ision of prescription – note one weeks GMS supply will be given by all pharmacies on receipt of GMS number.
      • Reli= able transport /family transport organised

 =

PORTERING IN THE TRANSFER /DISCHARGE LOUNGE

 

  • Collec= ting patients from the wards at the request of the transfer /discharge loun= ge nursing staff.
  • Collec= ting sandwiches /biscuits and general catering supplies from catering.=
  • Return= ing notes /x-rays to relevant departments.
  • Escort= ing patients to the door.
  • Ensuri= ng the transfer /discharge lounge trolleys are secured at all times.
  • Genera= l portering duties and = transfer /discharge lounge team duties.

 

HOUSEKEEPING IN THE TRAN= SFER /DISCHARGE LOUNGE

 

  • General cleaning of the transfer/ discharge lounge each morning at 08:00.=
  • Provid= ing tea /coffee/light snacks to patients.
  • General housekeeping and transfer /discharge lounge team duties.

 

 

There will be one bed in the transfer /discharge lounge, some trolleys/comfortable chairs.

 

There will be two people available in the discharge lounge at all ti= mes.

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