Departure Lounge volunteers will use a phone device to receive assignments for patient discharges. Volunteers will accept the assignment and take a wheelchair to transport the patient. Volunteers will transport patients from their hospital room to the Departure Lounge on the first floor, making sure to identify patients properly. Volunteer will greet the patient upon entry to the lounge. They will scan the patient ID, which enters the patient into the system. Upon entry, Volunteers will orient the patient to the lounge experience, explaining the amenities, such as snacks, a beverage, reading material, TV access, and outside patio seating. Volunteer, working with staff, will explain the process for when the patient's driver arrives at the Departure Lounge parking area. Volunteer will transport appropriate patients (able to stand, pivot, and get into car, and are coherent and can follow instructions). They will be scripted as to departure information to communicate. Visitors accompanying patients in the lounge are welcomed and assessed as to their needs including beverage/food/reading material/use of phone etc. Volunteers will round through the lounge checking on patients, assessing needs, offering warm blankets, change of seating, help with television or other car services etc. Volunteers will assist staff in the completion of a card to be mailed to the home of the patient and to be signed by the staff of the lounge. Volunteers will offer patients the opportunity to write out a short note to thank their care team. Volunteers will then attach note to the note from the Departure Lounge Team to the unit where the patient was discharged. The note to the staff will be: "It was a pleasure to serve in the care of your patient upon Discharge. They had many kind comments about your team. It is our pleasure to share those comments!"
