St. Elizabeth Healthcare Florence Emergency Department

Florence, Kentucky

An initiative to reduce left without being seen in the 32-bed emergency department at St. Elizabeth Healthcare Florence led to improved scores in LWBS, as well as higher patient satisfaction and financial gains. The ED implemented an ESI 2 escalation process and a split-flow/minor care treatment option. This resulted in a reduction in the LWBS rate from 4.8 percent in 2022 to a current rate of 1.38 percent. The average length of stay in the ED, which saw more than 50,000 patient visits last year, dropped from 190 minutes in 2022 to the current 175 minutes. Patient experience scores improved significantly from the prior year, and due to the team’s efforts, St. Elizabeth’s saw a $575,000-dollar financial gain from the reduction of LWBS alone.