Hoitopiste

Hoitopiste is a Finnish healthcare term referring to a designated area or station where nursing staff perform care tasks and coordinate patient care. The term covers both a physical location within a facility and the functional role of the care workflow point where information and tasks converge.

In many hospitals, the hoitopiste is the nurse’s station located near patient wards. It typically includes a desk or workspace, access to electronic patient records, a medication supply or storage area, communication devices, and space for essential equipment. The layout is designed to keep staff in close proximity to patients to support timely assessments and interventions.

The hoitopiste supports core activities such as bedside monitoring, documentation, medication administration, and handovers between shifts. It serves as the hub for coordinating care plans, communicating with physicians, and ensuring continuity of care. The concept emphasizes patient safety by centralizing information and enabling efficient teamwork.

Where used, the term may also describe similar care coordination points in long-term care facilities or in primary care clinics, though the exact configuration and criteria for a hoitopiste vary by country, facility type, and local practice. It is one element of broader discussions about hospital design and nursing workflow.