‘Command centre’ supports timely access to care at Horizon’s The Moncton Hospital

Initiative brings key teams together to coordinate patient movement and discharge planning in real time

(MONCTON) – A specialized ‘command centre’ at Horizon’s The Moncton Hospital (TMH), which recently completed its first year of operation, is helping ensure patients receive timely care by improving flow across inpatient units and the emergency department.

Launched in April 2025, the dedicated space brings together nearly two dozen staff involved in patient flow and discharge planning — including patient flow navigators, discharge planners, a bed access coordinator, a bed board clerk, nursing supervisors, administrative support, and liaisons from the New Brunswick Extra-Mural Program — to monitor bed capacity and coordinate patient movement in real time.

“The patient flow command centre allows staff from across the hospital to collaborate effectively and orchestrate patient movement throughout the facility,” said Christine Richards, Patient Flow Manager at TMH. “Having key teams work together in one coordinated environment helps us make faster decisions, remove barriers, and ensure patients receive the right care at the right time.”

Before the command centre, teams involved in patient flow and discharge planning were located throughout the hospital, with decisions often made through emails, phone calls, and meetings. While many team members continue to work in different areas of the facility, the dedicated space provides a central hub for coordination and decision-making.

“Everyone is focused in the same area, so there is much more face-to-face communication,” said Julie Weir, Clinical Director of Horizon’s Operations, Patient Flow, and Ambulatory Care Program. “Whether it is a nursing supervisor and the bed access coordinator identifying opportunities to facilitate patient flow, or discharge planners looking for ways to address barriers, we can problem-solve in real time.”

In addition to improving patient flow, the initiative has strengthened collaboration and morale among staff involved in patient flow and discharge planning, many of whom previously had limited opportunities for in-person interaction.

The command centre is one of three operating within Horizon. The model was first established at Horizon’s Dr. Everett Chalmers Regional Hospital in Fredericton, before expanding to TMH and, most recently, to Horizon’s Miramichi Regional Hospital.

“By improving how we manage beds and drawing on the expertise of our teams, we can make more informed decisions and maximize the use of every inpatient bed,” said Greg Doiron, Horizon’s Vice President of Clinical Operations. “Ensuring patients move through our hospitals in a timely and coordinated way is essential to their experience and the care they receive, and it directly impacts access to surgeries and wait times in our emergency departments.”

This work supports Horizon’s 2025–2030 Strategic Plan commitment to excellence in hospital care by improving access to care and helping ensure patients receive the right care at the right time through more efficient use of resources.

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