Improved patient flow. Strengthened ED-to-inpatient transitions.
Since 2021, Mount Nittany Medical Center had steadily improved emergency department (ED) flow. When progress began to level off, leaders saw an opportunity to build on that momentum and improve how patients moved through the ED.
Mount Nittany Health partnered with Sound Practice Solutions to bring additional clinical and operational expertise, align existing teams around shared goals, and turn agreed-upon changes into day-to-day practice.
Key results†
Over the course of this shared work, Mount Nittany Health improved several key performance measures:
<1%
left without being seen
6 min
decrease in ED LOS, treat and release patients
33.3%
improvement in room-to-provider time
6%
increase in patient likelihood to recommend
Improving patient flow
Mount Nittany Health and Sound completed a structured, multidisciplinary review of ED workflows, focusing on practical changes the ED team could make to improve throughput and reduce inpatient boarding.
Working with Laboratory, Radiology, Pharmacy, and Inpatient Nursing, the teams helped close workflow gaps and designed a Rapid Assessment Zone tailored to the department’s layout and staffing.
That alignment helped speed early clinician engagement and created a clearer path from triage to treatment.
The teams also paired clinicians and nurses in dedicated care pods to strengthen accountability and communication. Using Sound’s Demand2Capacity Tool, Mount Nittany Health was able to align staffing to patient demand, creating a more responsive and sustainable model.
“Sound didn’t just look at schedules and workflows. They took the time to get a full understanding of our people and how our entire system operates day to day. That continues to help us stay centered on one goal:
putting patients first.”
DANIEL MCKINLEY, MD, MBA
Medical Director, Quality and Safety, Mount Nittany Medical Center
Strengthening ED-to-inpatient transitions
ED-to-inpatient transitions were creating rework, extended diagnostic evaluations, potential external transfers, and prolonged ED length of stay (LOS).
Sound medical leaders hosted open forums with Mount Nittany Health clinicians to better understand barriers, safety concerns, and day-to-day workflow challenges. Working with Daniel McKinley, MD, MBA, Mount Nittany Health and Sound introduced Service Line Agreements and Rapid Admission Protocols, resulting in clearer roles and more consistent, patient-first admissions.
†Patient experience: FY25 Q2 to 76.6 in FY26 Q2; all other data: FY 25 vs. FY 26; Aug. 5, 2025-March 2, 2026.
