Association between emergency department length of stay and patient outcomes: A systematic review

Abstract

In this review, we investigate associations between time spent in the emergency department (ED) and patient reported outcomes. ED staff provide initial assessment, treatment and referral to patients presenting with an acute status to the hospital 24 h a day. ED length of stay, including ED boarding, and treatment received in the ED may affect patient outcomes. In this review we considered published studies that explored the association of ED length of stay of individuals of any age with their subsequent outcomes, including mortality and inpatient length of stay (IPLOS). Joanna Briggs Institute methods for systematic reviews of association were followed. Search strategies were developed to identify studies published in English since 2000 for inclusion. Two reviewers assessed the studies for inclusion and methodological quality and extracted data independently. In total, 34 studies were included in the review, including one case-control, one analytical cross-sectional, and 32 retrospective cohort studies, with a total sample size of 2,308,840 patients. Overall, there were variable associations of time spent in the ED and mortality, IPLOS, time-to-treatment and adverse events. However, findings indicated that older people are at risk for longer ED stays. They may also experience higher mortality. Specific focus should be placed upon elderly people in the ED, to reduce their exposure to the ED environment where possible and to implement focused initiatives that address their specific and complex treatment needs. We conclude that the diversity of individual settings and health systems will require locally defined and relevant solutions to locally identified issues.

Keywords: emergency department; length of stay; mortality; systematic review.