Overcrowding has not decreased in the last year at seven out of eight U.S. hospitals

Jan 23 2007

Overcrowding has not decreased in the last year at seven out of eight U.S. hospitals, according to a recent survey commissioned by TeleTracking Technologies and the American College of Emergency Physicians, the Billings Gazette reports.

The survey included responses from more than 200 hospital executives, administrators and managers nationwide.

According to the survey, 60% of respondents said that overcrowding forces their hospitals to divert ambulances to other facilities (Billings Gazette, 1/17).

In addition, although 70% of respondents said that their hospitals seek to admit emergency department patients within two hours of arrival, almost 48% said that their facilities failed to admit ED patients within two hours more than half the time, the survey found.

The survey also found that more than 80% of respondents cited overcrowding as one of their top five management concerns (Schroeder, Fort Wayne Journal Gazette, 1/15).

However, many respondents said that they believe their hospitals can reduce overcrowding, manage patient flow and limit costs, the survey found.

Many respondents said that technology or technology in combination with changes in staff and practices can reduce overcrowding at their hospitals, according to the survey (Billings Gazette, 1/17).

ACEP President Brian Keaton in a statement said, "These survey results confirm what we have been seeing for several years in emergency departments nationwide.

Emergency department overcrowding is a problem for all of us."

In addition, he said, "When hospitals go on diversion, which happens all too frequently in this country, patient care suffers" (Fort Wayne Journal Gazette, 1/15).