Mount Sinai Queens – Emergency Department
Astoria, New York
Mount Sinai Queens – Emergency Department
The emergency department at Mount Sinai Queens leverages shared governance and front-line leadership to drive quality outcomes. One initiative addressed a rise in undetected community-acquired pressure injuries. The team piloted a dedicated ED skin nurse role to assess high-risk patients and all admissions. CAPI detection increased by 89 percent and, when hospital acquired pressure injuries declined by 33 percent, none were linked to the 68-bed ED during the pilot.
A second initiative redesigned the patient handoff process to reduce ICU transfer delays. Rather than requiring ED nurses to escort patients to the ICU, ICU nurses now receive the patients in the ED. This reduced median boarding time from 60 to 49 minutes, with a low of 37 minutes in one month. It has improved safety, preserved ED nurse availability and boosted morale.
A second initiative redesigned the patient handoff process to reduce ICU transfer delays. Rather than requiring ED nurses to escort patients to the ICU, ICU nurses now receive the patients in the ED. This reduced median boarding time from 60 to 49 minutes, with a low of 37 minutes in one month. It has improved safety, preserved ED nurse availability and boosted morale.
Finally, to prevent patient falls, the team uses the Kinder Fall Risk Assessment, reinforced by the “If You See Yellow, You Must Say Hello” and “No Pass Zone” campaigns. With these measures in place, there have been zero falls with moderate or severe injuries. Continuous monitoring and staff engagement sustain success and promote a strong culture of safety.