These are Georgia’s best emergency departments, according to nurses

Since 2011, the Emergency Nurses Association has recognized U.S. emergency departments for their exceptional leadership, practice, education, advocacy and research. The ENA Lantern Award went to 94 recipients this year, including six in Georgia.

“Calling and notifying these EDs that they are Lantern recipients, has been a highlight of my year,” ENA president Chris Dellinger, MBA, BSN, RN, FAEN, said in a news release. “These departments put so much time and energy into not only the application but work that goes into creating the best patient care and healthy work environments. It was thrilling to see the excitement on their faces when I gave them the news.”

To be considered for the award, emergency departments must submit a detailed application alongside a $3,000 fee. Those applications, which recount stories showing a department’s commitment to their patients and their staff, are then reviewed and ultimately scored by an award committee. It’s a process departments can participate in only every three years.

Five of six Georgia recipients are first time winners. The emergency departments at Atlanta’s Emory University Hospital, Braselton’s Northeast Georgia Medical Center, Dahlonega’s Northeast Georgia Medical Center, Monroe’s Piedmont Walton Hospital and Roswell’s Wellstar North Fulton Medical Center all made the list. The ED at Hiram’s Wellstar Paulding Medical Center is a returning award winner this year.

All 94 of this year’s winners will receive trophies, be recognized at ENA’s annual conference, Emergency Nursing 2024, in Las Vegas this September and be featured in the association’s magazine, ENA Connection.

“The ENA Lantern Award recognizes emergency departments that demonstrate exceptional and innovative performance in leadership, practice, education, advocacy and research — a way to showcase your ED’s accomplishments in incorporating evidence-based practice and innovation into emergency care, and a visible symbol of your commitment to quality, safety, and a healthy work environment,” according to the website.