View performance Statewide

Statewide performance

There are currently 106 reporting hospitals in Queensland. Each year, these hospitals admit almost 1.6 million patients and provide more than 2.3 million emergency services and more than 6.5 million outpatient services.

To ensure Queenslanders have access to world-class health care, Queensland Health closely monitors Hospital and Health Service (HHS) performance to improve the healthcare system, optimise resources and provide better experiences and outcomes for patients. Scroll down to read more about activity, resources and performance across the state.

Statewide activity

Queensland Health delivers close to 6 million different health services per year. Activity across the state includes admitted patient services (patients that have been formally admitted and are allocated to a hospital bed) and non-admitted patient services. Non-admitted patient services, also known as ‘outpatient services’ are service events that include a range of outpatient activity mainly specialist clinic appointments, allied health services and some clinical procedures (such as clinical measurement).  It does not include pathology (blood tests) or the full range of diagnostic services (such as general imaging, CT scans, MRI and PET).

The following information relates to the activity that passes through Queensland Health during the specified period.

Delayed Discharge Patients

Queensland Health reports data for patients experiencing delayed discharge to assist in efficient resource allocation and improved patient care. Measuring the volume of patients experiencing delayed discharge enables hospitals to tailor care plans and facilitate timely transitions to appropriate out of hospital care settings to optimise patient outcomes.

Sometimes referred to as a long-stay or stranded patients, a person experiencing delayed discharge is an inpatient that is clinically ready for discharge but is awaiting appropriate supports to transition to the community.

Delayed Discharge patients are categorised as either delayed discharge younger patient (DDYP) or delayed discharge older patient (DDOP). DDYPs are under the age of 65 and are typically waiting for supports from the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) to be discharged. DDOPs are aged 65 or over, or 50 and over for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples and are eligible for Aged Care services. Eligible Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples aged 50-64 can access Aged Care or the NDIS. DDYP and DDOP may also experience barriers to discharge other than Aged Care or the NDIS.

Statewide resources

Queensland Health utilises a number of resources to provide effective and efficient health services to Queenslanders. These resources encompass both equipment and human capital. Queensland Health monitors these resources throughout the period to ensure they meet demand and contribute to providing the highest standard of care for all patients.

Staffing

Staff counts are captured on a quarterly basis and include both the headcount of Queensland Health staff (the number of individual staff members) and full-time equivalent (FTE) positions (the total workforce capacity based on hours worked). The statewide staff count and FTE totals represent all Queensland Health facilities that report staffing across the state.

Statewide beds and bed alternatives

Queensland Health provides beds and bed alternatives for patient treatment. Patients may receive treatment in various types of beds and alternatives depending on their specific needs. Bed alternatives include Emergency department trolleys, specially equipped chairs for chemotherapy and renal dialysis treatments, stretchers in observation wards, and more.

Queensland Health reports the number of available beds and bed alternatives. For a bed or bed alternative to be reported as available, it must be situated in a suitable location for patient care and accessible to available nursing and auxiliary staff, either immediately or within 24 hours. Bed count is reported for Queensland Health's in-scope reporting facilities.