As part of the Sherman Hospital Emergency Department’s initiative to see patients quickly and reduce delays in care, front-line nurses partnered with physicians and leaders to develop

Advocate Sherman Hospital Emergency Department

nursing-driven order sets for common ED presentations. Through shared governance, interdisciplinary collaboration and enhanced nursing autonomy, staff could initiate care earlier and improve patient flow and efficiency. The results included a 5 percent reduction in length of stay, a 12.5 percent decrease in provider-to-disposition time, improved patient satisfaction and greater staff engagement. This innovative approach demonstrates how empowering nurses in the emergency department to practice at the top of their license can drive meaningful improvements in both patient outcomes and operational excellence.

Additionally, the Sherman ED moves patients to inpatient units through a structured admission and handoff process aimed at preventing boarding and improving patient experience. Real-time collaboration between the 36-bed ED staff and the inpatient nurses supports rapid bed placement, timely handoffs and seamless transitions of care. Over the past year, 57 percent of admitted patients were transferred within 30 minutes of bed assignment and 74 percent transferred within 60 minutes. Continuous performance monitoring and process improvement efforts help sustain efficient throughput, enhance patient safety and ensure patients receive the right care in the right setting without unnecessary delays.