Emergency Department Boarding Stories

"We are a large ED with 60 beds. We are regularly holding 45 to as many as 75 admitted patients daily in our department. Unless a patient is critically ill, we see most new patients in the waiting room. This is an extreme burden on our young, energetic, committed staff. We experience extreme staff shortages. In over 25 years of emergency medicine experience, I have never seen such critical shortages of space, staff and equipment.

Each day I fear that a patient or staff member will be harmed because of the critical situation in which we are required to serve.

Despite the overwhelming situation, I see acts of bravery by our staff as they do their best in such extreme circumstances. Each day I fear that a patient or staff member will be harmed because of the critical situation in which we are required to serve.  I pray that no one is harmed or dies."