Abstract
dc:description.abstractLong Emergency Department (ED) wait times are a significant concern associated with adverse patient outcomes and increased violence against staff. Longer wait times are associated with higher rates of patients leaving without being seen (LWBS), greater healthcare costs, increased patient mortality, and decreased patient satisfaction. Additionally, research shows higher rates of patient and visitor frustration and aggression towards staff members when wait times are longer. With the turnover of ED nurses exceeding the national average and the number of ED visits increasing, wait times must be addressed. This literature review explores both the negative impacts of long wait times on staff and patients as well as potential evidence-based solutions to shorten them. 35 peer-reviewed articles published between 2011 and 2025 were included in the review. Solutions resulting in decreased waits include Lean methodologies, rapid assessment/bedding, fast-track or primary care areas, bed traffic control, fair workload distribution, additional manpower, and self-checkin kiosks. Additional funding and the collaboration of researchers with ED administrators and staff is needed to yield more research to validate the benefits of the solutions proposed above. A mixed approach which combines multiple strategies may be necessary to achieve the desired results for each unique hospital. Current evidence suggests that implementing targeted changes to reduce wait times can benefit both patients and healthcare staff.
Degree
thesis:*- Grantor dc:publisher
- SUNY Brockport School of Nursing
- Year dc:date.issued
- 2026
Author and committee
dc:creator, dc:contributor.*- Author dc:creator
-
- Barzac, Christina
- Advisor dc:contributor.advisor
-
- Butler, Susan
Subjects
dc:subject × 1Rights
- Language dc:language.iso
- en_US
Identifiers
dc:identifier.*- Handle dc:identifier.uri
- https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.12648/83758