ED Crowding

Emergency Department (ED) crowding occurs when the number of patients waiting for care exceeds the department’s capacity to treat them promptly. This can happen during busy times or due to resource limitations like staff, beds, or diagnostic tools. When crowded, patients may experience longer wait times, delays in treatments, and sometimes reduced quality of care. ED crowding can also strain healthcare workers, increase stress, and pose safety risks. Overall, it reflects a mismatch between patient demand and available resources, impacting patient outcomes and the efficiency of emergency medical services.