Trans­form­ing Emer­gency Care: How Onslow Memo­r­i­al Hos­pi­tal Is Redefin­ing the Patient Experience

When an emergency happens, every minute matters — and so does how patients feel during one of the most stressful moments of their lives. Over the past year, Onslow Memorial Hospital (OMH) has made significant improvements in its Emergency Department, focused on delivering faster care, better communication, and a more supportive experience for every patient who walks through its doors.

A Smarter, Faster Start to Care

One of the most meaningful changes has been a renewed focus on the patient journey from the moment someone arrives. OMH’s Emergency Department team carefully evaluated each step of the visit to identify opportunities to reduce delays and improve flow.

A major shift has been the introduction of a “provider-first” approach — ensuring clinical evaluation begins as quickly as possible. Instead of the traditional front-end registration process, a Registered Nurse is now positioned at the greet desk just inside the entrance. This allows patients to be assessed immediately, helping accelerate care and reduce wait times from the very start.

Faster Answers at the Bedside

OMH has also expanded the use of point-of-care testing through i-STAT technology — a portable handheld device that delivers lab-quality results directly at the patient’s bedside. This advancement supports quicker clinical decisions and helps providers begin treatment sooner.

Real Results Patients Can Feel

These operational improvements have led to measurable progress, including:

• Improved patient flow
• Reduced wait times
• Shorter lengths of stay
• Fewer patients leaving without being seen
• Higher patient satisfaction and experience scores

For patients and families, these changes mean more timely care and a more efficient Emergency Department experience.

A Commitment to Community-Centered Care

Together, these improvements reflect a powerful commitment: Onslow Memorial Hospital is investing in smarter systems, compassionate innovations, and patient-centered solutions that strengthen trust and deliver high-quality emergency care close to home.

As OMH continues to evolve, one goal remains clear — providing the community with emergency care that is not only efficient, but deeply respectful, supportive, and focused on every patient’s experience.