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Kota Kinabalu: Efficient patient flow management at the Emergency and Trauma Department of Queen Elizabeth Hospital (QEH) is vital to ensure timely and safe emergency care as it serves as the main referral centre for Sabah and Labuan.

The implementation aligns with the Health Ministry’s Hospital Patient Flow Management Guidelines 2022 and the MyLean Awareness Module 2020, focusing on addressing congestion in emergency departments.

Measures introduced include optimising bed usage through the Bed Management Unit, establishing multidisciplinary wards, strengthening discharge planning via Expected Date of Discharge, and introducing a discharge lounge and bed monitoring system to ensure availability for new patients.

Since Jan 29, 2026, the initiatives have led to improved hospital performance with better bed utilisation, shorter waiting times for ward admission and a significant reduction in congestion at the emergency department, while patient safety and welfare remain the top priority.

The hospital also ensures equitable services regardless of background with transparent bed allocation based on clinical needs, while ongoing improvements, regular evaluations and firm action against ethical breaches are emphasised to enhance service delivery and healthcare staff wellbeing.