AHN Jefferson and Wexford Hospitals Recognized for Excellence in Emergency Care with Emergency Nurses Association ‘Lantern Award’

Tuesday, August 06, 2024

Press Releases Jefferson Hospital Wexford Hospital

Prestigious award recognizes exceptional and innovative performance in emergency care

PITTSBURGH - The emergency departments at Allegheny Health Network's (AHN) Jefferson Hospital and Wexford Hospital have been selected as recipients of the 2024 Emergency Nurses Association's (ENA) Lantern Award. The award recognizes select emergency departments (EDs) across the country for exceptional performance in leadership, practice, education, advocacy and research. Of the 94 EDs recognized this year by the ENA, Jefferson and Wexford are the only hospitals in western Pennsylvania to receive the award.

The Lantern Award reflects AHN Jefferson's and AHN Wexford's success in incorporating evidence-based clinical practice and innovation into emergency care. It serves as a visible symbol of their commitment to high-quality, safe patient care, as well as a healthy work environment for nursing staff.

"Every day at emergency departments across AHN, our nurses are committed to providing exceptional, compassionate care to all patients and families who come through our doors," said Angela Costa, RN, BSN, MPM, chief nurse executive, AHN. "We applaud the emergency care teams at Jefferson and Wexford hospitals for going above and beyond in this mission and thank them for their service."

The Jefferson Hospital ED was also recognized in 2021 with the Lantern Award which is given by ENA every three years. In 2019, Jefferson Hospital opened a new, 44-bed, state-of-the-art emergency department to better serve patients. It is one of the area's busiest EDs serving more than 50,000 patients annually across Jefferson Hills, the South Hills of Pittsburgh, Lower Mon Valley and surrounding communities.

The 24-bed emergency department at Wexford Hospital in Pine Twp. opened to patients in 2021. It is a two-time recipient of the 'Guardian of Excellence' award from Press Ganey, ranking in the 95th percentile for patient experience. It boasts some of the shortest wait times nationally with most patients seen by a clinician within 15 minutes of arriving at the hospital, on average. The department is also equipped and staffed to care for pediatric patients.

"Congratulations to the Jefferson and Wexford emergency care teams for this much deserved recognition. Should an emergency health need arise, patients in these communities can take comfort in knowing that award-winning, patient-centered emergency care is available close to home," said Bobby Kapur, MD, MPH, chair, AHN Emergency Medicine Institute. For more information on this year's Lantern Award recipients, visit the Emergency Nurses Association website.

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About the Emergency Nurses Association

The Emergency Nurses Association is the premier professional nursing association dedicated to defining the future of emergency nursing through advocacy, education, research, innovation, and leadership. Founded in 1970, ENA has proven to be an indispensable resource to the global emergency nursing community. With nearly 50,000 members worldwide, ENA advocates for patient safety, develops industry-leading practice standards and guidelines and guides emergency health care public policy.