Innovator Organizations - 2024

CalvertHealth Medical Center is an 80-bed rural hospital. It also operates three urgent care centers through a joint venture.

Leaders have:

• Launched a pilot program to reduce emergency department wait times by creating a triage center to replace the traditional waiting room. The center uses a multi-track approach to expedite admission or discharge once the medical problem has been addressed.
• Achieved an 89% reduction in the number of patients who left the ED without being seen, and a 68% drop in the amount of time patients waited to see a physician, according to early results.
• Found other ways to improve the patient experience, including the “Commit to Sit” initiative that encourages clinicians to sit while talking to patients at the bedside to enhance communication.