"Stuck" on the Ramp: What Factors Influence Patient Comfort and Satisfaction While Waiting on Emergency Department...

Area of Science:

• Emergency Medicine
• Patient Experience Research
• Healthcare Environment Design

Background:

• Emergency department crowding leads to ambulance ramping, a prolonged wait for patients in corridors.
• This phenomenon, once temporary, is now standard practice, negatively impacting patient experience beyond just wait times.
• Limited research exists on patient experiences within the ramping environment and potential comfort improvements.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore how patients experience the ambulance ramping environment.
• To identify aspects of the built environment and care that could improve patient health and waiting experience.

Main Methods:

• Semi-structured interviews with 26 patients who experienced ambulance ramping for at least an hour.
• Inductive thematic analysis of interview data to identify key themes related to patient experience.

Main Results:

• Patients reported significant psychological distress and physical discomfort.
• The built environment was perceived as unsuitable, posing challenges to maintaining physical health.
• Participants suggested modifications to the built environment and care to alleviate concerns.

Conclusions:

• Ambulance ramping intensifies patient stress and discomfort.
• While physical environment changes may be difficult short-term, other care aspects can be adapted for patient-centeredness.