What is the clinical evidence from this study?

Study design: Cross-Sectional. Population: Emergency department crowding (n=63). Intervention: Emergency department crowding. Primary outcome: Frequency of ED crowding (several times a week or daily).

What question did this study set out to answer?

To assess patient length of stay and emergency department nurse managers' direct experiences with hospital crowding across The Netherlands.

October 24, 2013International Journal of Emergency MedicineOpen Access

Emergency department crowding in The Netherlands: managers’ experiences

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Key result

Despite a relatively short length of stay, 68% of surveyed Dutch emergency department nurse managers reported that crowding occurred several times a week or daily.

Population

63 emergency departments in The Netherlands (survey of ED nurse managers)

Design

Cross-sectional

Authors

MLM LindenMedisch Centrum Haaglanden RRResi ReijnenMedisch Centrum Haaglanden RDRobert W. DerletMassachusetts Department of Public Health

Discussion

Member takes

Implication

ED crowding signals ongoing operational strain in Dutch practice; leaves open targeted research on systemic drivers and interventions.

Key Points

To assess patient length of stay and emergency department nurse managers' direct experiences with hospital crowding across The Netherlands.
Nationwide survey administered to all 94 emergency department nurse managers in The Netherlands (N=63 respondents; 67% response rate).
Assessed hospital facility type, annual patient census, length of stay (LOS) by patient disposition, frequency and timing of peak crowding, and operational mitigation strategies.
Mean annual volume was 24,936 (SD ± 9,840) visits, with a mean LOS of 119 (SD ± 40) minutes for discharged patients and 146 (SD ± 49) minutes for admitted patients.
Crowding occurred several times per week or daily in 68% of responding departments (39/57), primarily concentrated between 12:00 and 20:00.
Consultation delays, laboratory and radiology diagnostic delays, and inpatient bed shortages were identified as the primary drivers of department overcrowding.

Study Design

Type

Cross-Sectional (n=63)

Multicenter

Yes

Structured PICO

Population

63 emergency department nurse managers in The Netherlands surveyed about patient length of stay and experiences of ED crowding.

Outcome

Patients' length of stay and ED nurse managers' experiences of crowding

Despite relatively short lengths of stay, ED crowding is a frequent, nationwide problem in The Netherlands, primarily driven by consultation delays and hospital bed shortages.

Limitations

The survey instrument has not been validated.
Results are subject to reporting errors, non-response, and incomplete responses.
Variation in operational data definitions across different hospital information systems.
Some respondents provided estimations instead of actual data.
No standard definition of ED crowding was used, relying instead on subjective staff perceptions.
Survey has not been validated yet
Subject to reporting errors, non-response, and incomplete responses
Variation in operational data definitions across hospitals
No standard definition of ED crowding was used (relied on subjective staff perceptions)

Cite This Study

Linden et al. (2013) conducted a cross-sectional in Emergency department crowding (n=63). Emergency department crowding was evaluated on Frequency of ED crowding (several times a week or daily). Despite a relatively short length of stay, 68% of surveyed Dutch emergency department nurse managers reported that crowding occurred several times a week or daily.

synapsesocial.com/papers/6a75d44a73aee6431613cfec https://doi.org/10.1186/1865-1380-6-41

View Full Paper

Ask AI

Bookmark

Emergency department crowding in The Netherlands: managers’ experiences

Discussion

Member takes

Implication

Key Points

Study Design

Structured PICO

Limitations

Cite This Study

Emergency department crowding in The Netherlands: managers’ experiences

Discussion

Member takes

Implication

Key Points

Study Design

Structured PICO

Limitations

Cite This Study

Also Consider

Also Consider