We have one information desk that is managed by volunteers and the rest (three other desks) that are managed by Guest Service staff, which are under security.

I am having more and more difficulties getting eligible volunteers who are capable of serving on this desk. When it is not covered I ask for extra support from the guest service staff. Sometimes they can help, other times they cannot.

Generally, we have staffed it from 5am (the volunteers preferred time) to about 3pm. At that time we'll redirect traffic to a staffed desk. We are currently looking at switching to a more combined volunteer/staff model.  

We are currently staffing our Information Desk in the main entrance to the hospital with volunteers.  It is staffed from 8am - 8:30pm most days a week and usually 365 days including holidays as much as possible.  When volunteers are not available, they place a sign to proceed to the Admitting Office for assistance.  The Information Desk volunteers are supported by Ambassadors in the front lobby who volunteer M-F from 8-12 and 12-4 (Saturday 8-12) who "escort" people to their destination or transport them by wheelchair.  We try to have two volunteers per shift at the Information Desk and the Ambassador Desk.  Honestly, with the information the volunteers need to know and the issues they have to deal with, we would prefer an employee at the Information Desk with the support of volunteers.

We have two information desks and three entrance points not near those desks on our campus.  The patient tower desk is staffed 24 hours a day.  The outpatient clinic desk is staffed from 6AM until 9PM.  The entrance points are staffed 8 until 3 Weekdays only.  These entrances are unavailable on the weekend.  Our campus covers 3 1/2 blocks.

We use a combination of staff and volunteers, supported by the volunteer greeter program.  It is creative staffing with few full time people and many part-timers.

Security can see the patient tower desk at all times, since security is posted outside the public elevator lobby entrance to make sure no one is allowed to a patient floor without proper credentials. 

Each of our main facilities has an Information Desk in the Main Entrance open 8am-8pm M-F and 9a-8p Sat./Sunday. We try to cover the desks with volunteers only. However, when there is an evening (4pm or after) or weekend shift open, we use PRN staff  for coverage. PRN staff are also used on holidays. The volunteers and PRN staff (4) all report to the Volunteer Services office.

When the Information Desks are not staffed there are signs directing guests to use a courtesy phone to call our in-house operator for patient room numbers. Additionally we make available Guest Assitance Cards which include visiting hours/restrictions, Gift Shop/Cafeteria/etc. hours and important phone numbers such as Lost & Found, Security, Pastoral Care and so on. There are also signs that, at certain locations, are placed on an easel in the lobby with directions to outpatient departments for those patients arriving before 8am.

we have a combination of vounteers and paid staff.......typically the volunteers cover mornings and paid staff cover afternoons and evenings, unless i have a volunteer that is really not a morning person......;-)