What is the ‘Home for Lunch’ Initiative?

The ‘Home for Lunch’ initiative is a strategic approach designed to improve patient flow by ensuring early discharge from hospitals. This initiative aligns with national guidelines, which recommend that acute hospitals discharge 33% of patients whose treatment is complete by midday. By facilitating earlier discharges, particularly during daylight hours, the initiative aims to enhance patient flow, safety, and satisfaction while also easing the burden on hospital staff.

Benefits of the Initiative on patient flow:

• Patient Safety and Satisfaction: Early discharge allows patients to return home during daylight, which is safer and more convenient. It also provides better access to community services such as pharmacies and grocery stores.
• Reduced Hospital Pressure: By improving patient flow, the initiative helps reduce the strain on hospital resources, including inpatient beds.
• Better Patient Outcomes: Timely discharges can lead to improved outcomes for patients awaiting acute inpatient treatment and those ready to go home.

Key Steps to Implement the Initiative

• Define Success: Collaborate with staff to set clear targets for the initiative, including discharge times and the number of patients per ward. This will help create capacity within the organization and improve patient flow.
• Identify Patients Early: During board rounds the day before discharge, identify patients who can go home for lunch. Ensure all necessary actions to facilitate discharge are completed that day to enhance patient flow.
• Early Escalation: If any issues arise that might prevent a patient from being discharged as planned, escalate these through the appropriate channels as early as possible to resolve them and maintain patient flow.
• Consistent Implementation: Embed the ‘Home for Lunch’ principles into the daily routine of the hospital. Regularly review performance against targets and address any reasons for missed discharges to sustain patient flow.