Fairfield, Ohio In response to increasing patient complexity and limited treatment space in the 35-bed ED, Mercy Health – Fairfield Hospital’s emergency department nurses identified an opportunity to redesign patient flow. Through shared decision-making, the team implemented an internal waiting room supported

Naples, Florida The Naples Comprehensive Health Baker Emergency Department earned Silver Level II Geriatric Emergency Department Accreditation by implementing evidence-based, age-friendly practices that improve care for older adults. Through nurse-led interdisciplinary collaboration, staff education, standardized protocols and targeted quality improvement initiatives, the

Bonita Springs, Florida The NCH Bonita Springs Freestanding Emergency Department, part of Naples Comprehensive Health, is a 12-bed facility staffed by a lean, but highly skilled interdisciplinary team. A recent key initiative was redesigned team workflows during high-acuity and overlapping emergencies. Nurses

Miami, Florida The Nicklaus Children’s Hospital Emergency Department implemented a comprehensive throughput strategy focused on daily performance reviews, interdisciplinary huddles, real-time census monitoring and hospital-wide escalation processes. ED leaders, operations administrators, providers and nursing teams collaborate throughout the day to proactively address

Port Jefferson, New York Front-line nurses at Northwell Health Mather Hospital led an initiative that improved nurse communication and patients’ understanding of discharge medications. The nurses developed easy- to-understand medication pamphlets, which are now incorporated into the discharge process to provide consistent

Grayslake, Illinois The Northwestern Medicine Grayslake Freestanding Emergency Department improved patient “Likelihood to Recommend” performance through a multidisciplinary approach focused on communication, wait-time management, service recovery and patient-centered care. Leaders and front-line staff partnered to review patient feedback, implement targeted improvements, recognize

Escondido, California At Palomar UC San Diego Health Escondido, a primary initiative in the emergency department has been the creation of a dedicated Pediatric Critical Care Room to improve the care of critically ill and injured children. Recognizing pediatric emergencies occur infrequently

St. Paul, Minnesota At Regions Hospital, emergency department nurses partner with community organizations to address social determinants of health and improve outcomes beyond the hospital walls. Through a bedside violence-intervention program, survivors of gun violence are connected with trained community responders who

Solvang, California Shared governance and collaborative decision-making enabled emergency department staff at this 8-bed critical access hospital to improve care for acute stroke patients by identifying and addressing unnecessary transfers for MRI imaging. Through interdisciplinary collaboration, staff proposed extending local MRI hours

Williamstown, Kentucky The St. Elizabeth Healthcare Grant County 11-bed critical access hospital emergency department demonstrates how exceptional patient care is not determined by a hospital’s size but by innovation, teamwork and an unwavering commitment to patients. The ED team implemented a “Boarding Pass”