Grady Emergency Department –
Feel Better Faster

David Watson, MD

When you think of an Emergency Department (ED), you might think of crowded rooms with long waits. But you can feel better faster at Grady Memorial Hospital’s Midge Glendening Emergency Center. The average wait time to see a doctor is just 20 minutes – less than half the national average!

The short “Door to Doc” time at Grady is no accident. Whether it’s reducing lab test turnaround times or implementing bedside registration, the staff works diligently to streamline the care process so you can get the treatment you need quickly. “We’re always looking at our performance,” says David Watson, MD, medical director, Grady ED. “We streamline processes wherever we can and set up our systems so we can be flexible during peak demand times.”

Quality Care, Greater Comfort
Short Door to Doc times are not only convenient for patients, but they also actually help the healing process. “If patients are waiting and feeling neglected, their symptoms tend to magnify,” says Dr. Watson. “When we begin the care process quickly, that immediately eases patient stress and helps them feel better.”

Patients can also feel better knowing they can count on quality care at the Grady ED. The ED consistently ranks above the 90^th percentile nationally for patient satisfaction and ED nurses rank in the top 10 percent nationwide for patient satisfaction. Even with their already outstanding achievements, the Grady ED staff is always looking to improve.

Improving the Patient Experience
Grady’s ED staff conducted a survey of local Emergency Medical Services teams to find out what they thought Grady could do to enhance the patient experience. The response was overwhelmingly positive and the ED team is using the survey information to improve customer service. “It feels great to know that the people who bring our patients in trust what we do and know we will provide excellent care,” says Dr. Watson.

Patients can count on that level of excellent, compassionate care throughout Grady. As an OhioHealth member hospital, Grady improves access to a wide range of healthcare services for Delaware County residents. If a patient arrives at the Grady ED and needs care at another OhioHealth facility, the transfer process is streamlined. Grady ED staff can also use OhioHealth’s integrated medical record system to review a patient’s OhioHealth history to facilitate knowledgeable care.

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