HMH Bayshore Medical Center, Dr. Robert H. Harris Emergency Care Center

Holmdel, New Jersey

The Dr. Robert H. Harris Emergency Care Center at HMH Bayshore implemented a nurse-driven chest pain protocol that exemplifies a commitment to shared governance and collaborative practice. This initiative is rooted in nurse empowerment and autonomy, with nurses playing a pivotal role in identifying gaps in the care of patients with atypical acute coronary syndrome presentations. By collaborating closely with provider partners, front-line nurses helped design a new clinical pathway that leverages advanced triage nurse training and integrates seamlessly with the electronic health record. The protocol enables triage nurses to autonomously initiate critical interventions while simultaneously alerting ED providers which resulted in a parallel-process workflow.

The ED fosters psychological safety and mutual respect, formalized in its December 2024 Workplace Violence Prevention Plan, which explicitly prohibits horizontal violence. A confidential “Unprofessional Behavior” reporting icon was added in April 2025 to easily flag bullying or demeaning conduct. This initiative is supported by a strict zero tolerance policy and the workplace violence committee’s proactive risk mitigation. Eliminating horizontal violence through prompt investigations and leadership support enhances teamwork and communication. This directly translates to superior patient care, with progress continuously measured through staff turnover, engagement surveys and safety perception scores.