Emergency department (ED) boarding remains a pressing issue for hospitals nationwide, driven by capacity constraints that stem from challenges in discharge processes and case management. When inpatient beds remain occupied due to delays in post-acute placements, EDs become overcrowded, leading to extended wait times, care delays, and clinician burnout. This article examines the far-reaching consequences of ED boarding, from financial strain on health systems to deteriorating patient outcomes. It also explores the upstream factors contributing to boarding, including inefficiencies in discharge planning and care coordination, and highlights emerging strategies hospitals are implementing to improve patient flow and alleviate ED congestion.
Read the full article in Becker’s Hospital Review.