Hello Lauren,

Have a look at these papers:

http://qir.bmj.com/content/3/1/u204930.w2080.abstract

http://dx.doi.org/10.1136/emj.20.2.149

http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1365-2834.2011.01279.x/full

I suggest you to searh for related terms, such as 'transit' lounge and even broader terms like 'discharge/bed management' and check if those 'lounges' or similar projects are used as interventions, so that you can read something about their effectiveness.

Hi Lauren,

In addition to the articles mentioned by Nuno, you may like to check out these. Results are mixed.

Chetter, T.G. 2009, 'Statistical process control part 2: using statistical process control to measure process improvement in patient flow', Australian Health Review, vol. 33, no. 3, pp. 412-22

Gilligan, P., O'Kelly, P., Hegarty, D. & Winder, S. 2009, 'The Transit/Admission Lounge Study', Irish Medical Journal, vol. 102, no. 1, pp. 19-21

McD Taylor, D.M., Bennett, D.M. & Cameron, P.A. 2004, 'A paradigm shift in the nature of care provision in emergency departments', Emergency Medicine Journal, vol. 21, no. 6, pp. 681-4.

Morris, J., Winfield, L. & Young, K. 2012, 'Registered Nurses’ Perceptions of the Discharge Planning Process for Adult Patients in an Acute Hospital', Journal of Nursing Education and Practice, vol. 2, no. 1, viewed 6 July 2013,

National Audit Office 2000, Inpatient Admissions and Bed management in NHS acute hospitals, NAO,  .

Scott, I.A., Wills, R.-A., Coory, M., Watson, M.J., Butler, F., Waters, M. & Bowler, S. 2011, 'Impact of hospital-wide process redesign on clinical outcomes: a comparative study of internally versus externally led intervention', BMJ Quality & Safety, vol. 20, no. 6, pp. 539-48.

Wardell, H.J. & Lovell, M.E. 2013, 'Has the introduction of an admissions lounge affected theatre start times in a busy teaching hospital environment?', Journal of Perioperative Practice, vol. 23, no. 6, pp. 142-3.