Glen Cove Hospital Emergency Department

Glen Cove, New York

The Glen Cove Hospital Emergency Department leveraged shared governance and nurse-led innovation to improve severe sepsis care. Facing 9.2 percent mortality and a 66.7 percent bundle compliance, the interdisciplinary team known as the Sepsis First Responders implemented several changes in the 26-bed ED. These included a nurse-designed sepsis checklist, visual tracking board, real-time team communication and education. Additionally, nurses were empowered to initiate sepsis protocols. Project outcomes were significant: The six-hour sepsis bundle compliance increased to 86.7 percent, and ED sepsis mortality dropped to 5.4 percent. This demonstrates how nurse autonomy and collaborative decision-making measurably improved patient care.

To boost employee engagement, the reinvigorated Emergency Department Collaborative Care Council, with clinical nurse co-chairs and rotating meetings, empowered staff-led initiatives that yielded practical developments and strong outcomes. The “Pebble Project” enabled real-time concern submission. For recognition, new programs like “You Shine” peer recognition, personalized DAISY acknowledgments and expanded Nurses Week celebrations were implemented. Outcomes were significantly favorable. Scores for decision involvement climbed more than 18 points to 82.2 percent, and recognition increased by 20 points to 86.7 percent, which signified substantially higher nurse satisfaction and engagement.