Long length of stay at the emergency department is mostly caused by organisational factors outside the influence of the emergency department: A root cause analysis.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Emergency department (ED) crowding is common and associated with increased costs and negative patient outcomes. The aim of this study was to conduct an in-depth analysis to identify the root causes of an ED length of stay (ED-LOS) of more than six hours.

Methods

An observational retrospective record review study was conducted to analyse the causes for ED-LOS of more than six hours during a one-week period in an academic hospital in the Netherlands. Basic administrative data were collected for all visiting patients. A root cause analysis was conducted using the PRISMA-method for patients with an ED-LOS > 6 hours, excluding children and critical care room presentations.

Results

568 patients visited the ED during the selected week (January 2017). Eighty-four p

SUBMITTER: Driesen BEJM 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6138369 | biostudies-literature | 2018

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature