Overcrowding is a global problem that negatively impacts patient care and increases hospital costs. Several innovative solutions have been developed to reduce overcrowding. Nevertheless, the underlying factors that drive overcrowding persist.
Most hospitals operate most efficiently with an occupancy level of about 85 percent. But when occupancy exceeds this limit, a number of problems arise:
It can be difficult to match patients with the areas of care that are best suited to their needs. This can result in delays in the provision of essential services, such as diagnostic tests or medication. It can also increase the risk and rate of adverse events.
Overcrowding in a hospital can lead to staff burnout, which is detrimental to patient care. It can also lead to poor job satisfaction and decreased retention rates among healthcare professionals.
The most significant cause of overcrowding in a hospital is limited bed capacity. This results in boarding of admitted patients in the emergency department (ED). Boarding occurs when a patient has been approved for admission to an inpatient unit, but there are no empty beds on the specified floor. This can result in patients being placed in hallways, conference rooms or storage rooms.
In addition to being a significant source of patient dissatisfaction and frustration, ED boarding is associated with long wait times for triage, a delay in the start of treatment, and an increase in hospital LOS. In addition, a recent study found that ED crowding is correlated with a rise in the incidence of adverse events.