Waiting in the emergency department.

AIMS

To examine waiting times, reasons for waiting, and patient knowledge of those reasons, in the emergency department (ED).

METHODS

Data were collected on patients presenting to the emergency department over 7 weeks. Those who waited more than 30 minutes in the waiting room or more than 2 hours in the total department were studied further.

RESULTS

Thirty seven percent exceeded the times above (group A). Mean times for this group were 175 mins. Only 7% stayed in the waiting room more than 30 minutes. Delays were related to doctors (42%), waiting for tests and results (16%), prolonged treatment and assessment (12%), and other reasons (30%). Only 47% were clear about why they were waiting.

CONCLUSIONS

Some extended waiting is appropriate. Unnecessary delays are common and can be avoided by attention to facilities, improving deployment of staff, and removal of bottlenecks in testing procedures. Waiting time in emergency departments will alter as observation wards and definitive treatments by emergency specialists increase. The public will need to be fully informed as these changes take place.