Wellstar North Fulton Medical Center Emergency Department

Roswell, Georgia

Wellstar North Fulton Medical Center Emergency used real-time monitoring and data analysis to develop nurse-driven improvements in patient communication and seeing patients in a timely manner. The team at the 33-bed ED utilized patient event texting to increase transparency, keep patients informed of their plan of care, and ensure nurses and providers were on the same page when communicating with patients. This led to a 3.5-percent improvement in Top Box patient satisfaction feedback regarding communication.

Implementing a “nurse first” process at the main emergency check-in reduced the average wait time between arrival and triage by six minutes. It allows for nurse-driven protocol orders to begin treatment until a provider is available. Additionally, a direct-to-room process allowed patients to bypass triage and see emergency room staff faster.

Through its Vertical 3 process, the department decreased the discharge length of stay by 72 minutes. The dedicated Vertical 3 treatment area is equipped with recliners instead of stretchers, for lower acuity ESI 3, 4, and 5 patients. This creates a less intimidating environment but still allows the providers and staff to perform any necessary exam or test.