Saint Peter’s University Hospital Recognized for Excellence in Emergency Nursing

New Brunswick, N.J. - October 30, 2024 -Saint Peter's University Hospital's Robert and Joan Campbell Adult Emergency Department (ED) has been selected as a recipient of the Emergency Nurses Association's 2024 Lantern Award for demonstrating excellence in leadership, practice, education, advocacy, and research performance.

The Lantern Award showcases Saint Peter's emergency department's accomplishments in incorporating evidence-based practice and innovation into emergency care. As part of the application, emergency departments are encouraged to share stories that highlight a commitment to patient care, as well as the well-being of nursing staff. The award serves as a visible symbol of our commitment to quality, safety, and a healthy work environment.

"Receiving the Lantern Award from the Emergency Nurses Association is a significant achievement for our team. It reflects our pursuit of excellence in emergency care and our dedication to ensuring the safety and well-being of our patients and staff," said Sharon Haskins, DNP, MBA, RN, RN-BC, NE-BC, director of Medical/Surgical Services, Adult Critical Care, Emergency Services, Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, and Bed Management at Saint Peter's University Hospital.

Saint Peter's Adult ED was recognized for several initiatives focusing on enhanced communication, patient safety, employee engagement, and clinical programs. Among them is BrainScope, a cutting-edge technology that assesses individuals with head injuries for brain bleed and/or concussion. This innovative tool helps to reduce a patient's exposure to radiation and decrease hospital stays. Early results show a 65 percent reduction incomputed tomography (CT) scan usage and a decrease in hospital stay length by 72 minutes.

In addition, Saint Peter's adult emergency department developed strategies for prevention, intervention and sustainment in caring for patients experiencing withdrawal, misuse, or overdose. Saint Peter's partners with a local recovery center to provide immediate support for overdose patients and introduced the Clinical Opioid Withdrawal Scale (COWS) to enhance treatment - initiatives that have significantly improved patient retention for detox and rehabilitation placements from 35 percent to 60 percent.

"This recognition from the Emergency Nurses Association is a testament to the commitment and hard work of our emergency department staff. We are all devoted to providing exceptional patient care and maintaining a supportive and collaborative work environment," said Deep Desai, DO, chair of Emergency Medicine at Saint Peter's University Hospital.

This is the first time Saint Peter's adult emergency department has received the Lantern Award (2024-2027). The Dorothy B. Hersh Pediatric Emergency Department at The Children's Hospital at Saint Peter's University Hospital became New Jersey's only pediatric emergency department to earn the Lantern Award for the 2022-2025 term.

For more information on this year's Lantern Award recipients, visit the Emergency Nurses Associationwebsite.

For more information about Saint Peter's Emergency Department, please visit saintpetershcs.com/ER.

About Saint Peter's University Hospital
Saint Peter's University Hospital, a member of Saint Peter's Healthcare System, is a 478-bed acute-care teaching hospital sponsored by the Roman Catholic Diocese of Metuchen. Saint Peter's, which received its sixth consecutive designation as a Magnet® hospital for nursing excellence by the American Nurses Credentialing Center in 2020, is also state-designated children's hospital and a regional perinatal center, and is a regional specialist in diabetes, gastroenterology, head and neck surgery, oncology, orthopedics, and women's services. Saint Peter's is the recipient of the Beacon Award for Excellence from the American Association of Critical-Care Nurses for the adult intensive care unit, neonatal intensive care unit, cardiac progressive care unit and the pediatric intensive care unit. The Children's Hospital at Saint Peter's University Hospital provides families with access to a full range of pediatric specialties, including a nationally recognized Level IV Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, pediatric surgery and orthopedic surgery featuring innovative anterior scoliosis correction. The hospital has the state's only hospital-based, midwifery-led birth center - the Mary V. O'Shea Birth Center, accredited by the Commission for the Accreditation of Birth Centers. Saint Peter's is a sponsor of residency programs in obstetrics and gynecology, pediatrics, and internal medicine, and is a major clinical affiliate of Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences. Visit saintpetershcs.com or call 732.745.8600.

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. ENA members have expertise in triage, patient care, disaster preparedness and all aspects of emergency care. Additional information is available at www.ena.org.