There are growing safety and ethical concerns about crowding and diversion in hospitals. Meeting standards of care during crowded times has become a major issue for hospitals.
The National Perspective
- ED visits have grown 20% (since 1997)
- Number of EDs has decreased 10% (to 3,795)
- 66% of metro ED’s experience crowding
The Hospital’s Perspective
- Routinely go on ambulance diversion
- High percentage of patients returning within 72 hours after being seen
- Inpatient revenues are lost
- Strategic initiatives weakened (Cardiac Services, Stroke Program, Trauma, Oncology, etc.)
- Dropping patient satisfaction scores
- Increased MD or RN staff turnover
- Lack ability to diagnose patient flow, department-to-department
The Patient’s Perspective
- Wait times are excessive
- Increased dissatisfaction with waits leading to patient leaving ED without treatment
- Boarding patients experience unnecessary discomfort, decreased access to
standard inpatient care, or decreased privacy
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A Recent Survey Shows:*
- 703 had the experience of patients suffering harm
- 200 had the personal experience of a patient dying as a result of patient boarding
*A recent ACEP survey of 1,496 physicians
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