To improve patient flow and enhance the experience of boarded patients, the Lexington Medical Center Emergency Department created an 18-bed admission unit staffed by the inpatient float

Lexington Medical Center Emergency Department

pool. Admitted patients transition to the unit where nurses complete approximately 60 minutes of admission care before transferring to an inpatient bed. This model allows inpatient nurses to initiate admission-specific interventions earlier while emergency nurses remain focused on incoming emergency patients at the 57-bed ED. By redesigning the transition from emergency to inpatient care, the admission unit has improved patient throughput, strengthened interdisciplinary collaboration, enhanced continuity of care and created a safer, more efficient experience for patients across the health system.

The Lexington ED also fosters a culture where professional development is an expectation, not an opportunity. As part of a structured nurse residency program, nurses are supported through every stage of their career with the help of dedicated mentors, competency validation, specialty certification support, unit-based committees, leadership development and just-in-time clinical education. Experienced clinicians invest in future emergency nurses while fostering confidence, clinical excellence and professional engagement. This comprehensive approach has strengthened retention, developed future leaders, enhanced clinical competency and reinforced a culture of continuous learning that directly benefits patients and the communities Lexington serves.