The International Federation for Emergency Medicine report on emergency department crowding and access block: a brief summary

Abstract

Objective To develop comprehensive guidance that captures international impacts, causes, and solutions related to emergency department crowding and access block Methods Emergency physicians representing 15 countries from all IFEM regions composed the Task Force. Monthly meetings were held via video-conferencing software to achieve consensus for report content. The report was submitted and approved by the IFEM Board on June 1, 2020. Results A total of 14 topic dossiers, each relating to an aspect of ED crowding, were researched and completed collaboratively by members of the Task Force. Conclusions The IFEM report is a comprehensive document intended to be used in whole or by section to inform and address aspects of ED crowding and access block. Overall, ED crowding is a multifactorial issue requiring systems-wide solutions applied at local, regional, and national levels. Access block is the predominant contributor of ED crowding in most parts of the world.

An analysis of the concept of patient flow management

“…Emergency department (ED) crowding fundamentally threatens the delivery of safe patient care worldwide 1 . ED crowding is associated with delays in treatment, unnecessary patient suffering, adverse medical outcomes, increased healthcare costs, and reduced efficiency 1,2 . This crowding is a symptom of ineffective management of patient flow throughout the hospital system 2 .…”

“…In 2021, the International Federation of Emergency Medicine (IFEM) constructed a task force to study ED crowding 1 . They criticized the term “ED crowding” because it frames crowding as an ED, rather than a hospital‐wide, issue 1 .…”

“…In 2021, the International Federation of Emergency Medicine (IFEM) constructed a task force to study ED crowding 1 . They criticized the term “ED crowding” because it frames crowding as an ED, rather than a hospital‐wide, issue 1 . The phrase “patient flow” has been suggested in place of “ED crowding” to help researchers address this severe public health problem 3 …”

Predictors of prolonged adult hospitalization in the tertiary care hospital emergency department of Saudi Arabia ‎

“…As the services provided by EDs increase and patient management becomes more complex, patients tend to stay longer in EDs; as a result, it becomes more crowded [3]. The EDs crowding has gained considerable consideration in recent years across many nations [4]. It represents the disproportion between the recognized needs for emergency services and the existing resources in the ED and hospital [5].…”

Effectiveness of a Mobile App in Reducing Therapeutic Turnaround Time and Facilitating Communication between Caregivers in a Pediatric Emergency Department: A Randomized Controlled Pilot Trial

“…Emergency department (ED) overcrowding is a global healthcare problem [ 1 ] that is both a source and consequence of prolonged ED length of stay (ED-LOS). Prolonged ED-LOS negatively impacts patients’ waiting times by reducing the efficiency and quality of care, patient satisfaction, and willingness to return [ 2 , 3 ].…”