Current Environment:

The Division of Emergency Medicine has a broad research agenda, with researchers involved in investigations that range from those conducted at the molecular level to those studying health care delivery systems. Many division members have appointments with the Harvard Medical School.

Please click here for the Division of Emergency Medicine's Research and Innovation website.

Our innovations mean better service

Boston Children's ED is an innovator, developing cutting-edge medical techniques and patient-service initiatives. We continually evaluate patient needs, research new methods and design best practices to advance emergency care.

Some of the initiatives that have put Boston Children's ED at the forefront of emergency services include:

  • Reduced wait time. Boston Children's has developed a parallel admissions process that has reduced the average time between arrival and seeing a physician to 32 minutes—one of the lowest in the United States!
  • Discharge follow-up. We call all patients in high-risk groups after discharge to follow-up on their condition, and to answer any questions about their care.
  • Participation in a hospital-wide and national initiative to improve asthma care.
  • Bedside testing. Our doctors can conduct many lab and ultrasound tests right in the exam room, allowing patients to remain comfortably in one place. This saves precious time waiting for results to come back, so making a diagnosis and beginning treatment can happen faster.
  • Unified care and computerized charting. These initiatives allow nurses and doctors to more easily share data regarding patients, improving communication among staff, and ensuring that patients won't have to repeat information with each caregiver they see.
  • Leader rounding. Nurse leaders regularly check in with patients in the ED to make sure patients are comfortable, facilitate communication and update them on the status of their care.