Emergency Department Boarding Stories

"We typically have 30-100 patients in the waiting room at any given time.  One shift a few months ago we had 10+ hr wait times, multiple teams boarding patients for hours, even some patients for greater than 24hrs. A young patient presented with a chief complaint of syncope at home, and was in the waiting room for close to seven hours. While waiting for bed placement, the patient went to use the restroom and was found down by security staff. The patient was subsequently brought back to the resuscitation bay, where it was discovered that the patient was in arrest.

Our staff is suffering with the moral injury imposed upon us by this horrendous medical system in which we operate.

Per chart review, the patient had a history of pulmonary embolism, was currently off of anticoagulation. The patient's clinical history per a family member and bedside ultrasound did demonstrate findings consistent with a recurrent pulmonary embolism leading to cardiac arrest. The patient was provided with maximum medical therapy, but subsequently died in the emergency department. I wonder if this patient would still be alive today had we had the appropriate resources to deliver appropriate care for our patients. We have been operating under crisis standards of care for years, and our patients are suffering. Our staff is suffering with the moral injury imposed upon us by this horrendous medical system in which we operate. Our patients and providers need help!"