Emergency Room (ER) Wait Times (2024)

FAQs

How do I reduce wait time in the ER? ›

Some people leave the ER without being seen by a healthcare provider. A common reason is long wait times. 8 You are free to leave but then you may not receive the care you need in a timely manner. Don't leave the hospital without first talking to the ER staff.

Be specific: Describe your symptoms in detail. Instead of saying “I feel sick,” explain the specific symptoms you are experiencing, such as nausea, dizziness, or chest pain. This will help the medical staff understand the urgency of your situation. Use descriptive language: Paint a vivid picture of your symptoms.

A 6 hours wait in ED might be acceptable for a patient being admitted to the wards, but not so for a critically ill patient. Both short-term and long-term survival as well as length of stay in intensive care unit (ICU) as well as the hospital could be influenced by EDLOS.

Rapid triage system, fast-track lanes, efficient staff allocation, enhanced communication about wait times, and comfortable waiting areas. Advanced resuscitation techniques, quick access to critical care resources, regular training, coordination with intensive care units, and continuous learning culture.

The triage registered nurse might assign you a priority level based on your medical history and current condition according to the following scale: Level 1 – Resuscitation (immediate life-saving intervention); Level 2 – Emergency; Level 3 – Urgent; Level 4 – Semi-urgent; Level 5 – Non-urgent.

If you leave the ER without receiving care, any necessary treatment is delayed, which could prolong recovery or lead to more severe health outcomes. This delay can transform manageable conditions into critical emergencies.

Patients leaving California hospitals against medical advice (AMA) is defined as choosing to leave the hospital before the treating physician recommends discharge. Patients leaving AMA are exposed to higher risks due to inadequately treated medical issues, which may result in the need for readmission.

Call your primary care doctor before you head over

If you can get in touch with your primary care physician before heading to the ER, he or she may be able to get you in without the wait at the hospital where he or she has privileges.

Is it better to go to the ER at night or morning? ›

ERs generally see a decline in patient visits during the early morning hours. Furthermore, weekends, in contrast to popular belief, also tend to be less crowded. If your condition is not life-threatening but still requires immediate medical attention, considering these off-peak hours might be beneficial.

“We know that there is overcrowding in the ED,” said lead author Renee Y. Hsia, MD, a UCSF professor of emergency medicine. “Capacity has largely failed to match the rise in patient demand.” The paper published June 22, 2023 in JAMA Network Open.

Monday: Often considered the busiest day at the ER, it's believed that people delay seeking medical care over the weekend and then head to the ER once the work week begins.

On a standard say with regular ER visit numbers, a simple case can be 2–4 hours. It can be 6+ hours if you are waiting for diagnostic tests, repeat bloodwork, seeing if your symptoms resolve with treatment. If you do get admitted, the times vary depending on if an inpatient bed is available.

“We know that there is overcrowding in the ED,” said lead author Renee Y. Hsia, MD, a UCSF professor of emergency medicine. “Capacity has largely failed to match the rise in patient demand.” The paper published June 22, 2023 in JAMA Network Open.