A further initiative to improve patient flow and to provide a better experience for those who are ready to leave hospital is now up and running at Mackay Base Hospital.
The Transit Care Hub (TCH), located on the hospital’s ground floor adjacent to the main entrance, is akin to a departure waiting room managed by nursing staff for patients who are ready to head home but may be waiting on medication, transport or documentation.
Mackay Hospital and Health Service (HHS) Chief Operating Officer Sharon Walsh, who performed the honours at the official opening this week, said the TCH was already proving its worth.
“The Transit Care Hub began accepting patients a month ago, and what we are seeing even in these early stages is that it is providing a better flow of patients out of our acute wards and the emergency department, which means we are freeing up beds for other patients who need our care,” Ms Walsh said.
“On average our patients who are ready to leave us and just need to wait for medication, or a family member to pick them up, are spending about an hour and a half in the TCH, and we’re freeing up about 6 hours a day of bed availability.
“This is all about ensuring we are delivering the right care, at the right time, using the right resources, in the right place.”
Ms Walsh said the Transit Care Hub was the third patient flow and experience initiative introduced at Mackay Base Hospital in the past few months.
“We have recently opened our paediatrics Rapid Access Clinic (RAC) to provide more direct access to care for vulnerable children, and we have also implemented change in the Emergency Department with the Transfer Initiative Nurse area to reduce ambulance wait times,” Ms Walsh said.
“Rapid Access Clinics are also being developed in general medicine and in cardiology.
“We are always seeking to improve our service wherever we can, and every measure contributes to enhancing patient experiences in our community.”
