To Care is Human FAST Connections: Transforming Patient Experience in the ED
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Oct 27, 2025 
Join Dr. Swati Mehta, a nephrologist and Vituity’s National Director for Patient Experience, along with Dr. Terrance McGovern, Medical Director of Emergency Medicine, and Robyn Dodds, Director of Nursing, as they discuss the transformative FAST communication tool. They explore how FAST enhances patient connections, reduces stress, and fosters team unity in emergency care. Learn about the challenges faced in the ED, the importance of listening, and practical advice for implementing empathetic communication to improve the overall patient experience.
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FAST Fits Time-Crunched ED Encounters
- The FAST model (First impression, Acknowledge, Sit/Say/Slow down, Teach-back) fits fast-paced ED care by focusing on brief, humanizing actions.
- Dr. Swati Mehta explains that structured two-minute connections reduce patient fear and improve clarity of care.
Teach FAST In Bite-Size Huddles
- Break FAST into weekly bite-sized focuses and discuss each part in daily nursing huddles with providers joining.
- Dr. Terrance McGovern did two six-week cycles to train the entire ED team and ensure consistent adoption.
Teamwork Drives Patient Recommendation
- Patient perception hinges on seeing the care team act together more than individual gestures.
- Mehta points to Press Ganey data showing teamwork drives higher likelihood-to-recommend scores.