Unless you are in a critical condition, you can expect to spend quite a bit of time waiting around in an emergency room. ER staff use a system called triaging, which essentially directs care to the most critical patients first.
Doctors and nurses know (or should know) who needs immediate attention and who can wait a little longer. But what if you get triaged into the second category, and it ultimately makes your condition worse?
What factors can influence your ER waiting time?
ER waiting times can vary based on several factors, including but not limited to:
- Staffing levels and bed capacity: An ER with more resources is more likely to treat patients faster.
- Patient volume: Longer waiting times are common when the ER is crowded. Big accidents, such as a pile-up or a bus crash, can also lead to a sudden influx of patients, which can push you further down the list.
- Location: ERs that serve densely populated communities are more likely to be overcrowded.
Other factors can affect your wait time, such as the time of day, the season and special events that may lead to more people going to the ER. For example, ERs are often busier in the winter because of flu season and the increased risk of weather-related accidents.
How long is too long of a wait?
Because there are so many factors that can influence your waiting time, there is no definite answer to how long it should be before it becomes unacceptable. However, your ER visit can be deemed “too long” if the wait causes significant harm.
Healthcare staff must assess and monitor your condition according to ER standards of care. If your condition is urgent, they must provide treatment promptly. If you are a nonurgent case, they can have you wait, but they must monitor you periodically.
In other words, the ER must not let your condition get significantly worse and potentially become critical. Failure to do so may count as delayed treatment, which could fall under medical malpractice.
For example, if you come in with signs of appendicitis, ER staff must be able to recognize your symptoms and administer immediate treatment. Otherwise, you could end up with complications and even worse pain.
Long waits can be unavoidable in ERs, but healthcare staff still owe proper and timely care to all patients. If you experience something like this, consider talking to a medical malpractice attorney who can assess your case and help you understand your legal options.