Northwell Phelps Hospital Emergency Department

Sleepy Hollow, New York

Northwell Phelps Hospital’s 32-bed emergency department sees more than 28,000 patient visits annually. It is a New York State-

designated stroke center and is Level 3 Geriatric Emergency Department Accredited and Pain and Addiction Care Accredited.

In 2023 the team used the Plan-Do-Study-Act model to increase patient safety by decreasing its fall rate. With 19 falls in 2022, a goal was set to reduce falls by 25 percent for 2023. An interdisciplinary Safety Huddle was implemented at the nurses’ station, creating a platform to identify patients with safety risks. ED nurse leaders initially led the huddles, but eventually either the charge nurse or a patient care associate became the discussion leaders. Patients at high risk for falls wear red socks, a yellow gown, and a wristband, symbolizing a patient as “dressed for the party.” This visual queue heightened awareness among staff, promoting vigilance regarding patient mobility and travel within the department. Furthermore, extending this education to external departments such as radiology, hospitality, and security ensured a comprehensive approach to patients’ safety throughout their journey within our facility. The initiative surpassed the goal, decreasing falls in 2023 by 33 percent.