Overcrowding in U.S. EDS: A Critical Condition

The issue of overcrowding in Emergency Departments (EDs) has become a significant national problem.1-5 Several recent scientific studies have added documentation of the overcrowding problem.6-8 In addition, discussions with emergency physicians across the country and at national meetings indicate that this is a major problem.9-11 Many private, academic, and urban EDs in both large and small communities are frequently subjecting patients to long delays compared with many years ago, when such overcrowding occurred primarily in inner-city EDs on Friday or Saturday nights. 1 Recently, the issue of ED overcrowding was brought before the state legislator and other California agencies.12-14 The United States is not alone in the overcrowding problem. In Canada, the issue of overcrowding in “accident and emergency rooms” is a serious national issue.15 In Australia, ED overcrowding in Sydney has resulted in ambulance diversions from hospitals. Other countries, including Great Britain and Taiwan, have also reported overcrowding.16,17