UF Health Shands Emergency Center – Kanapaha
Gainesville, Florida
UF Health Shands Emergency Center – Kanapaha
A multidisciplinary team at the 14-bed UF Health Shands Emergency Center-Kanapaha developed a telehealth algorithm to support emergency physicians during imminent deliveries at freestanding emergency departments. Through extensive collaboration and the implementation of structured protocols, the initiative made significant advancements in maternal and neonatal care in emergency settings. It improved clinical outcomes, enhanced staff confidence and has been nationally recognized as a model for rural and resource-limited health care environments.
To improve emergency department efficiency and meet national benchmarks, nursing leadership partnered with paramedics and admissions specialists to launch a structured triage initiative. Using pre-signed standing orders and code word alerts, such as “Code Charlie,” the team accelerated care for critical patients—even in the lobby. This approach led to a dramatic improvement in door-to-troponin compliance, increasing from 45 to 85 percent, and enhanced overall treatment and disposition times. The initiative fostered collaboration, streamlined workflows and significantly elevated the quality and timeliness of patient care.