The St. Elizabeth Healthcare Grant County 11-bed critical access hospital emergency department demonstrates how exceptional patient care is not determined by a hospital’s size but by

St. Elizabeth Healthcare Grant County

innovation, teamwork and an unwavering commitment to patients.

The ED team implemented a “Boarding Pass” initiative, created by front-line nurses to address extended waits for transfer or inpatient placement. Appropriate admitted patients transition to the inpatient unit while awaiting transfer, which provides a quieter, more comfortable environment and frees ED beds for incoming emergencies. The initiative improves patient throughput, optimizes staffing resources and enhances the overall patient experience.

The department has also reduced its left without being seen rate. Through immediate nurse engagement at triage, clear phases of care education, rapid placement of high acuity patients and nurse-initiated protocols, delays are reduced and patients are kept informed throughout their visit. These patient-centered strategies resulted in a 0.5 percent LWBS rate in 2025 to surpass both organizational and national benchmarks.