Overlook Medical Center In Summit Revamps Emergency Room Entrance

SUMMIT, NJ — Atlantic Health System’s Overlook Medical Center marked the opening of its redesigned Bouras Emergency Department entrance in Summit on Thursday, just days after the department received the Emergency Nurses Association’s prestigious Lantern Award.

The new entrance, part of a larger plan to expand and enhance the entire hospital, is designed to make it easier for patients to access Overlook’s emergency services, while enhancing the safety, security, and comfort of patients during their care, the hospital said. RELATED: 4 New Jersey Hospitals Rank Among Best In America: Newsweek

The Emergency Department has not moved; the entrance has just been redesigned. It remains at 99 Beauvoir Ave #3533, Summit. (In an emergency, call 911.)

“Throughout the pandemic, the importance of the emergency department as the ‘front door’ to care was never clearer," said Overlook President Alan Lieber. "When patients come to Overlook, it’s important that their care be exceptional from the moment they come through our doors. As with all services throughout Overlook, we put the patient at the very center of this redesign.”

The newly completed, 2,164 square foot redesign includes a new front ED entrance, lobby and triage area. The project also included ventilation enhancements that increase outside air circulation, an added level of safety for patients, visitors and staff as health providers continue to work to end the pandemic.

“We are grateful for the support and patience from the community as well as our EMT partners throughout the region, as we worked to truly create a doorway to better care,” said Lauren Yedvab, chief operating officer for Overlook. “This is the first of many enhancements at Overlook which will expand the superb care we offer to patients.”

Lantern Award

Last Monday, Overlook’s Bouras Emergency Department received the Emergency Nurses Association’s 2021 Lantern Award, which is given to hospitals demonstrating exceptional and innovative performance in nursing leadership, practice, education, advocacy, and research. Overlook is one of 33 emergency departments in the U.S. that received the award for the 2021-2024 cycle.

The ENA Lantern Award showcases an emergency department’s accomplishments in incorporating evidence-based practice research and innovation into emergency care. Emergency Departments are encouraged to share stories which highlight a commitment to care of patients as well as well-being of nursing staff. The award serves as a visible symbol of commitment to patient quality, safety, and a healthy work environment.

“This award truly reflects the accomplishments in emergency nursing care, and a clear signal to our communities that they can rely on Overlook for great outcomes when they need us most,” said MaryPat Sullivan, chief nursing officer at Overlook. “We’ve invested in the highest levels of education and training for our emergency nursing team and given them the resources and supportive environment to provide the very best of care for our patients.”

Overlook's Bouras Emergency Department in Summit provides 62,000 patient visits in a typical year. The ED provides a comprehensive range of services including private examination rooms, an expedited care unit and some of the most advanced imaging capabilities in the region. It features the Michael Gordon Reeves pediatric emergency department dedicated to serving the unique health needs of children.

A leader in stroke care, Overlook’s Bouras emergency department utilizes telestroke technology to coordinate care for patients while they are in the ambulance before reaching Overlook.

Overlook recently received The Joint Commission Disease Specific Certification for Hip Fracture and Wound Care. This follows Overlook’s Disease Specific Certification for Spine Surgery and Advanced Primary Stroke Care from The Joint Commission earlier this year.

The Emergency Nurses Association, founded in 1970s, is a professional nursing association dedicated to defining the future of emergency nursing through advocacy, education, research, innovation, and leadership.

Atlantic Health System operates facilities in New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and the New York metropolitan area. They consist of 18,000 team members and 4,800 affiliated physicians. The not-for-profit system runs seven hospitals in New Jersey: Morristown Medical Center in Morristown, Overlook Medical Center, Newton Medical Center in Newton, Chilton Medical Center in Pompton Plains, Hackettstown Medical Center in Hackettstown, Goryeb Children’s Hospital in Morristown, and Atlantic Rehabilitation Institute in Madison.

Atlantic Health System has a medical school affiliation with Thomas Jefferson University and is home to the regional campus of the Sidney Kimmel Medical College at Morristown and Overlook Medical Centers and is the official health care partner of the New York Jets.

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