Meeting Patients Where They Are: How St. Mary's CARES Lounge is transforming emergency care

Emergency departments are designed to care for patients with a wide range of medical needs, from life-threatening emergencies to conditions that require prompt evaluation and treatment but not the resources of a traditional emergency department bed.

In healthcare, this group is often referred to as the "messy middle"—patients with illnesses or injuries such as flu-like symptoms, dehydration, minor injuries or abdominal pain who need timely care but are unlikely to require hospital admission.

To better serve these patients while still preserving emergency resources for the most critical cases, Marshall Health Network – St. Mary's Medical Center recently opened the CARES area within its Emergency Department (ED).

CARES—short for Chairs for Assessment, Results and Evaluation—is a dedicated six-bay treatment lounge designed specifically for patients with less serious illnesses and injuries. Located in a renovated section of the emergency department lobby near the St. Mary's Heart Institute entrance, the space provides a more efficient care environment while maintaining the same high standards of clinical care.

"Healthcare delivery continues to evolve, and our responsibility is to ensure we are providing the right care in the right setting," said Angie Swearingen, president of St. Mary's Medical Center. "The CARES area allows us to better serve patients whose needs may not require a traditional emergency department room while improving flow throughout the department."

Unlike traditional emergency department rooms, the CARES area uses a vertical care model. Rather than remaining in a bed throughout their visit, appropriate patients are evaluated and treated in a chair-based setting designed to support faster assessments, testing and discharge when clinically appropriate. 

The approach has become increasingly common in emergency departments across the country as hospitals work to address growing patient volumes and improve the overall care experience.

"The CARES area helps us create capacity where we need it most," said Benjamin Mack, MD, medical director of the St. Mary’s ED. "Patients receive the care they need in a setting designed for their level of acuity, while our emergency teams can focus additional resources on patients with the most urgent medical conditions."

Staffed daily from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. by a provider, nurse and support staff, the CARES area streamlines care for patients who can often be evaluated, treated and discharged more efficiently. Since launching in March 2026, the area averages approximately 15-20 patients per day in the CARES area while helping improve patient flow throughout the department.

The project was made possible through a $250,000 gift from the St. Mary's Medical Center Auxiliary, whose support funded renovation of the space.

For patients and families, the impact is straightforward: faster access to care, improved efficiency and a better overall experience.

As healthcare needs continue to grow, innovations like the CARES area demonstrate how St. Mary's Medical Center is adapting to meet patients where they are—providing timely, compassionate care while ensuring emergency resources remain available for those who need them most.

For more information, visit st-marys.org/centers-services/emergency-services or call 304.526.1111.