Froedtert Hospital Emergency Department

Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Froedtert Hospital Emergency Department’s ED Nurse Expeditor initiative was developed to improve patient throughput and strengthen system-wide capacity management. Action plans centered on deploying dedicated nurse expeditors to accelerate timely discharges, timely transport of admitted patients to inpatient units upon bed assignment and increased transfers to sister hospitals during periods of overcrowding. Across two month-long pilots in 2025, the initiative demonstrated measurable accomplishments: Patients were moved out of ED rooms sooner to directly increase room availability for incoming patients. During the second pilot, the transfer rate doubled.

The 56-bed ED also implemented strategies to reduce the incidence of patients leaving before care is complete. Through a Virtual Provider in Triage program, patients in the reception area are evaluated virtually by a physician via cart-mounted iPad operated by an ED nurse or paramedic. A dedicated team including a nurse, paramedic or tech supports VPIT by initiating orders while patients remain in triage. Paramedic resources have been assigned to the triage reception area to improve patient communication and reassessment of patients awaiting provider evaluations. Collectively, these initiatives create a safer ED environment by identifying vulnerable patients, implementing preventive measures and ensuring continuous monitoring. These strategies reduced length of stay, left without being seen rates, elopement and against medical advice incidents while maintaining high-quality, patient-centered care.