Onslow Memorial Hospital Emergency Department

Jacksonville, North Carolina

The 39-bed Onslow Memorial Hospital Emergency Department, part of UNC Health, implemented a “No Detours to Care” initiative to improve patient flow and reduce delays in treatment. This model prioritizes immediate placement into care areas, rapid provider evaluation and early initiation of orders, which minimizes time spent in the waiting room. Patients are transitioned to monitored internal waiting areas rather than returning to the lobby, allowing for continuous observation and engagement. Staff also adopted structured communication using AIDET to improve transparency and trust. These changes reduced left-without-being-seen rates, decreased elopements and improved patient satisfaction.

The ED, which saw approximately 56,000 patient visits in 2025, also led a comprehensive cardiac arrest preparedness initiative to strengthen both community and hospital response. In partnership with regional and state programs, ED nurses trained more than 2,000 community members in hands-only CPR, working with schools, military families and civic groups. Internally, CPR and AED education were integrated into new employee orientation, creating a standardized response capability across all departments. The team also redesigned AED placement throughout the facility, ensuring devices could be retrieved within 60 seconds. These efforts improved staff confidence, decreased response times and strengthened early intervention, ultimately enhancing survival readiness and reinforcing the ED’s commitment to community-centered care.