Orlando Health Bayfront Hospital Emergency Department
St. Petersburg, Florida
Orlando Health Bayfront Hospital Emergency Department
Two initiatives are transforming patient care and staff empowerment in the 29-bed Orlando Health Bay Emergency Department in St. Petersburg. The organization Pinellas Matters brings hope to patients battling addiction by embedding recovery specialists—many in recovery themselves—directly into the ED. These specialists provide real-time support, referrals, and even bed-
to-bed rehab transfers, having already impacted thousands of lives. The program was born from personal loss and sustained by a promise to prevent addiction-related deaths in our community. Simultaneously, the Provider in Triage project has tackled ED crowding and low patient satisfaction head-on. By placing a dedicated provider in triage, patients now receive timely medical evaluations, enhanced testing and faster discharge decisions. This collaborative approach between nursing and medical staff reduced the left without being seen rate from 2.73 percent to 0.48 percent in one year—proof of the power of innovation and teamwork. These efforts reflect the department’s dual commitment to meeting people where they are and guiding them toward where they need to be.
to-bed rehab transfers, having already impacted thousands of lives. The program was born from personal loss and sustained by a promise to prevent addiction-related deaths in our community. Simultaneously, the Provider in Triage project has tackled ED crowding and low patient satisfaction head-on. By placing a dedicated provider in triage, patients now receive timely medical evaluations, enhanced testing and faster discharge decisions. This collaborative approach between nursing and medical staff reduced the left without being seen rate from 2.73 percent to 0.48 percent in one year—proof of the power of innovation and teamwork. These efforts reflect the department’s dual commitment to meeting people where they are and guiding them toward where they need to be.