The factors affecting the waiting time of outpatients in the emergency unit of selected teaching hospitals of Tehran

Abstract

Background and Objective: Long stops in the emergency unit will result in patient dissatisfaction and increased casualties. The present study aimed to determine the waiting time of patients visiting the emergency unit of two selected teaching hospitals in Tehran and the factors affecting it. Methodology: The present research was a cross-sectional descriptive-analytic study which was conducted in 2016. The statistical population included all patients and their caregivers in the emergency unit of Mofid and Ali Asghar hospitals, 335 of whom were selected were selected as the sample. The required data were collected using the patient's waiting time form and an author-made questionnaire, whose validity was confirmed by experts and its reliability was obtained 90% using Cronbach's alpha. The data were analyzed using ANOVA and independent t-test in SPSS-22. Findings: The results indicated that factors such as the large number of patients, long distance between emergency units, poor communication, and the low number of manpower affect the prolonged patient waiting time. In addition, the results showed the patient waiting time has a significant relationship with working shift, the day of visit, and insurance coverage (p≤0.05). Conclusion: The study findings suggested that several factors increase the waiting time of patients in emergency units. Hence, it is recommended to take necessary measures for proper distribution of manpower in a different working shift and also on weekdays and holidays in order to reduce the patient waiting time. In addition, skills and experience of the emergency unit staff need to be improved through training courses.

A Descriptive Study on Patient Satisfaction with Waiting Time in Emergency Departments: Insights from Hospitals in the Northern Emirates

“…to understa ng, including a shortage of doctors. These ndings align with other studies conducted in Iran by [22], which revealed similar factors contributing to prolonged patient wait times. These factors included a high patient volume, long distances between emergency units, poor communication, and insu cient manpower.…”

“…Factors such as the large number of patients, long distance between emergency units, poor communication, and the low number of human resources affect the prolonged patient waiting time [22]. Another study found that poor management, lack of coordination, and inadequate resources were associated with long waiting times in the ED [2].…”

“…Various unpredictable factors could impact the quality of care and patient satisfaction level (15). Previous studies have identi ed some of these factors, such as patient acuity, increased patient volume, lack of beds, more intensive treatment within EDs, delays in support services, staff and space shortages, and language and cultural barriers (16). Such factors negatively impact the quality of care provided to ED patients compromising patient health outcomes such as prolonged pain and suffering, producing greater dissatisfaction, decreasing physician productivity, and generating violence and miscommunication (17).…”

Investigating Indicators of Waiting Time and Length of Stay in Emergency Departments

“…12 Additional factors include physician level and experience, shortage of medical resources, poor communication either between staff or with the patient, and delays in physician attendance. 13 For decision to disposition time, the third indicator was mean (58.51) STD (166.30) minutes. This interval, known as ED boarding-which refers to the time after the patient has completed ED care and is waiting for an inpatient bed-has a strong relation to inpatient services and availability of beds.…”

The effect of having a physician in the triage area on the rate of patients leaving without being seen

“…The time to disposition decision is influenced by a number of other factors in addition to overcrowding, such as the availability of medical resources, physician attendance, delays in consultation by other medical staff, the level of experience of the attending physician, and the ease of staff and patient communication. 25 , 26 These factors might explain the distinct findings in our study.…”