Demonstrating Return on Investment for a Nurse-Led Discharge Lounge: A Strategy for Improving Hospital Throughput

Discharge delays and emergency department (ED) overcrowding are persistent challenges that negatively affect hospital throughput and patient outcomes. Although discharge lounges (DC Lounges) offer a potential solution, there is limited peer-reviewed literature evaluating their financial return on investment (ROI).

This study examined the operational and fiscal impact of a nurse-led DC Lounge in a large academic medical center, with a focus on cost-savings-based ROI.

A quantitative, descriptive design was used to evaluate the first year of DC Lounge implementation at a 700+ bed academic medical center. Data collected included discharge timing, DC Lounge utilization, inpatient bed days saved, and ED hold hours. Financial analysis calculated ROI based solely on cost avoidance.

The DC Lounge reached its financial break-even point in November 2024, saving 88.9 inpatient bed days and achieving an ROI of 1.16. Utilization increased 400% over the first year, while average patient time in the DC Lounge decreased by 19%. Hospital discharges before 2 PM improved.

This study is among the first to quantify ROI for a DC Lounge, demonstrating its operational and financial viability. Nurse-led coordination and interdisciplinary collaboration were critical to its success.