880 Public Waiting

880 Public Waiting

Definition: A space used by the public to await admission, treatment, or information within a health care facility.

Description: Included are lobby areas that are specifically configured and furnished for public waiting; physical or phantom boundaries should be assigned, as needed, to define nonassignable areas of entrance lobbies that simply serve a circulation function. Also includes patient waiting rooms, visiting areas, viewing rooms, and ward day rooms.

Limitations: Open lounges (see Lounge-650) and other service room lounges (e.g., patient lounge—see Patient Bedroom Service-815) should be classified appropriately. Only areas specifically assigned to public waiting for admission, treatment, or information should be classified with this code.