Southwest General Gets Prestigious Emergency Department Award

MIDDLEBURG HEIGHTS, OH — Southwest General Hospital is one of 22 medical facilities in the U.S. to receive the Lantern Award from the Emergency Nurses Association (ENA). The award is given out to Emergency Departments (ED) with exceptional practices and innovative performance.

“To be recognized by an organization in our profession with this award is a tremendous honor,” said Berni Martin, RN, MSN, CEN, NE-BC, director, Emergency Services, Southwest General. “I am incredibly proud of our team.”

The awards were given out at the 2017 Emergency Nurses Association. (To stay up to date on local stories, subscribe to the Patch Berea-Middleburg Heights newsletter. As news breaks and the story develops, you will be the first to receive updates from Patch.)

The Lantern Award is named for legendary nurse Florence Nightingale. Nightingale is sometimes referred to as "Lady of the Lamp" for her unceasing work during the Crimean War, when she would labor deep into the night, often by lantern light.

Southwest's ED received the award because of its commitment to patients, in the form of quick access and meaningful interaction between health care teams and those being treated.

“At Southwest General, we make patient safety and providing high-quality emergency care, top priorities,” said William A. Young, Jr., president and chief executive officer, Southwest General in a statement. “Patients today are taking a more active role in their health care and where they receive care. We are grateful to ENA for recognizing the exceptional work being done by our ED staff, and we hope patients will use this as a guiding light when deciding where to go for their emergency care needs."

Photo from Southwest General