Ocean University Medical Center Emergency Department

Brick, New Jersey

Demonstrating creativity and resilience in managing more than 64,000 visits in 2025, Ocean Medical Center’s Emergency Department enhanced its care for the community by implementing a front-end treatment area. This innovative space features 12 vertical beds, which allow physicians and nurses to promptly initiate and expedite care. The initiative has successfully decreased patient wait times and the rate of those who leave without treatment. This commitment to efficiency is further highlighted by the department’s consistent achievement of its goal of having patients discharged within 30 minutes of their disposition – a sign of dedication to prompt, patient-centered care.

In addition to improving throughput, the 70-bed emergency department team has prioritized the patient experience during high-volume times. The “ED Greeters” program was created as an additional layer of support to increase patient touch points. Staffed by non-clinical personnel, including retired nurses, this team is instrumental in comforting patients and their families. Combined with transparent communication about delays, the initiative supports patients while they wait for results and disposition and reflect the department’s unwavering dedication to providing compassionate care even during the busiest of times.