Emergency Nurses Association Honors Record 126 Departments with Lantern Awards
Event summary
- 126 emergency departments received the 2026 Lantern Award, a record number.
- Atlantic Overlook Medical Center is the first to win six times since the award's inception in 2011.
- Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi is the only international recipient this year.
- Awards are valid for three years, with reapplication possible after that period.
The big picture
The record number of Lantern Awards highlights a growing emphasis on operational excellence and evidence-based practices in emergency nursing. This trend reflects broader industry efforts to enhance patient care through structured recognition programs and continuous improvement frameworks. The inclusion of an international recipient underscores the global relevance of these standards.
What we're watching
- Sustainability of Excellence
- Whether the record number of awardees indicates a broader trend in emergency department performance improvements.
- International Expansion
- The pace at which international emergency departments adopt and achieve Lantern Award standards.
- Operational Benchmarks
- How the award criteria evolve to reflect changing healthcare challenges and technological advancements.