UPMC Hamot Emergency Department

Erie, Pennsylvania

UPMC Hamot’s ED partners with a local nonprofit community development corporation to address social determinants of health and improve outcomes for vulnerable patients. ED nurses screen for needs during triage and connect patients with resources for housing, food, transportation, utilities, insurance and follow-up care through direct referrals and warm handoffs. Ongoing collaboration between ED leadership, discharge planners and community partners supports real-time care coordination and safe discharge planning. The organization also provides community outreach services, including wound care, medication support and essential supplies to help prevent avoidable ED visits and extend care beyond hospital walls.

UPMC Hamot ED also implemented targeted initiatives to improve pediatric readiness, increasing its Pediatric Readiness Survey score from 77.1 percent in 2023 to 100 percent in 2026. A key focus was ensuring complete and accurate vital sign collection for all pediatric patients, regardless of chief complaint. Emergency medicine residents partnered with nursing to conduct pre- and post-intervention chart reviews following implementation of pediatric vital sign badge buddies. Results demonstrated significant improvement in complete vital sign documentation and earlier recognition of abnormal findings, strengthening the safety and quality of care provided to the 36-bed ED’s pediatric population.