Emergency room waiting times increase nationwide
In hospitals throughout the United States, those in need of emergency room treatment are forced to wait an average of four hours, according to a report released last week. Researchers found that overall wait times are longer than last year, and this raises serious concerns about the quality of emergency care which can be obtained. Longer wait times can increase the risk of medical mistakes or misdiagnosis, which can have serious consequences for the patient.
The study, known as the “2007 Emergency Department Pulse Report: Patient Perspectives on American Health Care,” reviewed the amount of time spent in the emergency room for 1.5 million patients at 1,500 different hospitals. The average time spent in hospital emergency departments has gone up 18 minutes nationally since 2005, and states with larger metropolitan areas tended to rank worse. The longer wait time in emergency rooms is directly related to the number of patients seen, with the average time increasing by about 30 minutes for every 10,000 additional patients seen annually.
Many people go to hospitals for ailments that could be treated outside of the emergency department, such as a primary care physician or urgent care center. However, emergency rooms are often the first option for treatment, especially in hospitals that serve urban populations.
More time in the emergency room can increase the risk of a diagnosis made too late or incorrectly, which can lead to a serious injury. When doctors and nurses are presented with more patients than they are capable of treating, each individual patient may be rushed and not given the time needed to provide necessary treatment. A prior report regarding medical malpractice lawsuits found that nearly 52% of lawsuits filed against hospitals involved delayed diagnosis, failed diagnosis or misdiagnosis in an Emergency Room setting.
>>INFORMATION: Medical Malpractice Lawsuits
The medical malpractice lawyers at Saiontz, Kirk & Miles, P.A., represent those who have suffered from a medical mistake or misdiagnosis throughout the United States. Although cases are investigated in all states, our main offices are based out of Maryland, which was one of the worst performing states. Maryland ranked 45th nationwide, with an overage of 277 minutes spent by patients in emergency rooms.
If you, a friend or family member was injured or harmed by a medical mistake or missed diagnosed, request a free claim evaluation.
