Factors affecting patient length of stay in the emergency unit: A scoping review

IF 1.8 4区医学 Q2 NURSING

International Emergency Nursing Pub Date : 2025-04-18 DOI:10.1016/j.ienj.2025.101607

Firman Firman , Andi Masyitha Irwan , Amy Buckenmeyer

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引用次数: 0

Abstract

Background

Despite the recommendation that patients should spend no more than six hours in the emergency department, crowding remains a persistent global health challenge. Extended patient wait times in emergency departments pose a barrier to timely medical care delivery. This scoping review aims to identify the variables increasing patients’ length of stay (LOS) in emergency department.

Method

This scoping review was conducted by searching PubMed, ScienceDirect, Wiley, Cochrane Library, Global Index Medicus, GARUDA, and Google Scholar, as well as additional secondary searches from 2013 to 2022 and in accordance with the Arksey and O’Malley methodological framework for scoping reviews. Studies were retained if they included primary, qualitative, or quantitative data and reported on patients admitted to the emergency department with their respective LOS.

Results

Of the 914 articles reviewed, 23 met the inclusion criteria. The results of the scoping review identified three main categories of contributory factors for LOS in emergency department: patient, diagnostic tests, and organizational factors.

Conclusion

The scoping review identified mitigatable factors to decrease LOS in the emergency department. These insights can help hospitals improve emergency department services by reducing the LOS.

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来源期刊

International Emergency Nursing NURSING-

CiteScore

3.20

自引率

11.10%

发文量

期刊介绍： International Emergency Nursing is a peer-reviewed journal devoted to nurses and other professionals involved in emergency care. It aims to promote excellence through dissemination of high quality research findings, specialist knowledge and discussion of professional issues that reflect the diversity of this field. With an international readership and authorship, it provides a platform for practitioners worldwide to communicate and enhance the evidence-base of emergency care. The journal publishes a broad range of papers, from personal reflection to primary research findings, created by first-time through to reputable authors from a number of disciplines. It brings together research from practice, education, theory, and operational management, relevant to all levels of staff working in emergency care settings worldwide.