Ascension Saint Alexius Hospital is a 38-bed emergency department serving approximately 60,000 patients annually. To improve outcomes for acute stroke patients, the ED developed an

Ascension St. Alexius Medical Center

innovative Stroke Launchpad that streamlines evaluation, CT imaging, and Tenecteplase preparation through standardized nursing and physician workflows. Combined with continuous Stroke Alert audits and interdisciplinary debriefings, the initiative reduced average door-to-CT times by eight minutes and achieved an average door-to-needle time of 44.6 minutes, including five cases under 30 minutes and a department record of just 18 minutes.

The team has a strong shared governance model. Emergency nurses are empowered to lead evidence-based improvements that enhance patient care, safety and efficiency. The ED Unit-Based Council has implemented initiatives including direct bedding, enhanced triage resources, streamlined emergency response processes and nurse-driven policy updates based on current research. This culture of professional autonomy and collaboration has strengthened interdisciplinary teamwork and increased staff engagement. The quality, safety and efficiency of care delivered to every patient have improved.