Orlando Health – Health Central Hospital Emergency Department
Ocoee, Florida
Orlando Health – Health Central Hospital Emergency Department
The team at Orlando Health – Health Central Hospital’s emergency department launched two initiatives that have been important to improving patient flow and increasing staff retention. The department’s long door-to-provider times were impacting patient satisfaction and quality of care. A cross-disciplinary team identified inefficiencies in the triage process and developed a streamlined “direct bedding” system. This new approach involves quick registration, prompt bed assignment and clear role delegation among nurses, paramedics, and assistants. Vital signs and ECGs are completed at the bedside, and communication is enhanced through structured handoffs. These changes reduced door-to-provider times from 19 to 11 minutes, improved staff
coordination and accelerated care for urgent cases. Overall, the initiative improved patient flow, staff satisfaction and clinical outcomes in the 60-bed ED.
The team also focused on improving staffing and retention after seeing a 23 percent exit and transfer rate. The UPC implemented peer interviewing, involving stretcherside staff in hiring decisions. This standardized process became the norm, reducing exits and transfers to 15 percent, strengthening the work environment and boosting employee satisfaction.
coordination and accelerated care for urgent cases. Overall, the initiative improved patient flow, staff satisfaction and clinical outcomes in the 60-bed ED.
The team also focused on improving staffing and retention after seeing a 23 percent exit and transfer rate. The UPC implemented peer interviewing, involving stretcherside staff in hiring decisions. This standardized process became the norm, reducing exits and transfers to 15 percent, strengthening the work environment and boosting employee satisfaction.