Nurses' perception of emergency department overcrowding: A qualitative study

Area of Science:

• Healthcare Management
• Nursing Research
• Public Health

Background:

• Emergency departments (EDs) are critical hospital wards facing significant overcrowding.
• Increasing patient referrals lead to ED congestion, limiting medical staff access.
• This study explores nurses' perspectives on the causes of ED overcrowding.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate emergency nurses' experiences and perceptions regarding the factors contributing to ED overcrowding.
• To identify key drivers of ED congestion from the viewpoint of frontline nursing staff.

Main Methods:

• Qualitative study involving 12 emergency nurses.
• Data collected through face-to-face semi-structured interviews until data saturation.
• Analysis using Graneheim and Lundman's conventional content analysis.

Main Results:

• Two primary categories of causes identified: increased referrals and extended patient length of stay.
• Increased referrals linked to health system reforms, the COVID-19 pandemic, and improper triage.
• Extended stays attributed to bed shortages, staffing issues, space limitations, diagnostic delays, specialist delays, documentation requirements, and transfer delays.

Conclusions:

• ED overcrowding is an ongoing challenge, influenced by health system changes and pandemics.
• Findings highlight increased referrals and prolonged patient stays as core issues.
• Health system authorities should prioritize addressing ED overcrowding and developing solutions.