Piedmont Athens Regional ED recognized for excellence

Athens, Ga. (September 15, 2026) - Piedmont Athens Regional's emergency department has been selected as a recipient of the 2026 ENA Lantern Award, which recognizes exceptional innovation and evidence-based practice improvements that resulted in improved patient care and staff well-being.

"Our emergency department team is always looking for ways to improve the care experience for patients while supporting our EMS partners and caregivers," said Gale Kinder, director of emergency services at Piedmont Athens Regional.

To improve patient flow during periods of high Emergency Department volume, Piedmont Athens Regional implemented a nurse-led EMS triage process designed to streamline the transition of patients arriving by ambulance into ED care. An interdisciplinary team developed a standardized activation process that included real-time tracking, proactive coordination by charge nurses, dedicated stretcher availability, enhanced EMS-to-ED handoff communication and secure messaging among care team members.

The initiative resulted in faster ambulance turnaround times, improved bed placement efficiency, and better coordination between the Emergency Department and EMS partners. The process also helped reduce the department's Left Without Being Seen (LWBS) rate, allowed charge nurses to continue moving waiting room patients into treatment areas without interruption, and strengthened collaboration among caregivers. Ultimately, the nurse-driven innovation improved patient safety, reduced wait times and enhanced the overall patient experience.

"The nurse-led EMS triage process is a great example of how frontline staff can drive meaningful change. This innovation improved ambulance turnaround times, reduced delays in care and strengthened teamwork across our department," said Kinder said. "Receiving the Lantern Award is an incredible honor and recognition of our team's commitment to excellence."

Piedmont Athens Regional is among 126 recipients that will be recognized in upcoming ENA publications, on the ENA website and during Emergency Nursing 2026, the association's annual conference in Phoenix, Sept. 28-Oct. 1.

"The Lantern recognizes something incredibly special. It isn't an award for an individual or an entire hospital-it's a recognition earned by an emergency department and the team that powers it every day," said ENA President Dustin Bass, DNP, MHA, RN, CEN, NEA-BC. "Piedmont Athens Regional is one of 126 emergency departments to achieve a Lantern Award this year."

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