Bon Secours Mercy Health’s Toledo market is flying high after launching a new, tech-enabled transfer process — one that’s helping patients get to the right place faster, reducing strain on care teams and improving overall system performance.
Inspired by the “need for speed” mindset from Top Gun, the initiative (nicknamed Operation Top Gun) shows what’s possible when hospitals combine advanced technology, data visibility and a nurse-led coordination model.
This innovative work, and the measurable results it’s delivering, were recently highlighted in an article in HealthLeaders, “How ‘Top Gun’ and Tech Are Improving Patient Transfers.”
The Challenge: Patient Transfer Delays and Operational Strain
Like many health systems, Bon Secours Mercy Health’s Toledo hospitals faced long-standing challenges in patient transfers between facilities. These delays led to:
- Extended patient stays
- Overcrowded emergency departments
- Increased stress for clinicians, patients, and families
Each transfer required multiple phone calls, emails and coordination efforts, often leaving patients waiting for beds that weren’t yet available.
The Solution: A Transparent, Tech-Enabled Platform
In partnership with Conduit Health Partners, the Bon Secours Mercy Health’s Toledo market implemented a digital platform that integrates directly with the system’s Epic EHR.
This real-time, transparent dashboard allows staff to:
- View available beds across the network
- Streamline non-emergency transfers
- Reduce redundant communication between hospitals
- Improve coordination and decision-making for both rural and metro facilities
With this innovation, the process of finding and securing the right placement for each patient is faster, smarter and more efficient.
The Results: A Measurable “Need for Speed”
The outcomes of Operation Top Gun speak for themselves:
- 34% reduction in average patient transfer times
- 54% increase in weekly direct admissions to metro hospitals
- 12% reduction in total communications required for transfers
Beyond the numbers, staff across the region report improved visibility into capacity and smoother workflows, all of which translate into a better experience for patients and families.
Continuous Improvement in Action
The project is built on a foundation of continuous improvement. Rather than a one-time implementation, it’s a living process that evolves alongside staff feedback and operational needs.
“We are able to get the right patients to the right hospital in an expedited time,” shared Chris Freeman, RN, BSN, Manager of Central Staffing and Scheduling at Bon Secours Mercy Health Toledo.
Technology + Partnership = Better Patient Flow
Operation Top Gun demonstrates what happens when health systems and Conduit Health Partners collaborate to solve complex operational challenges.
By combining nurse-led coordination with integrated technology, Conduit helps health systems manage patient transfers by:
- Improving transfer speed and efficiency
- Enhancing patient safety and satisfaction
- Unlocking hidden capacity within existing operations
The result is a system that runs more smoothly — for clinicians, patients, and leadership alike.
Because when it comes to improving access to care, sometimes the right call really is to embrace the need for speed.
Contact our team to learn more about how Conduit partners with hospitals to improve patient flow and transfer efficiency.
