Studies Examine Effects Of ED Overcrowding On Care

Main Category: Public Health
Also Included In: Respiratory / Asthma;  Infectious Diseases / Bacteria / Viruses
Article Date: 02 Oct 2007 - 8:00 PDT

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"Effect of Emergency Department Crowding on Time to Antibiotics in Patients Admitted With Community-Acquired Pneumonia," Annals of Emergency Medicine: The study finds that as emergency department volume increases, patients seeking treatment for pneumonia are less likely to receive antibiotics within four hours of arrival at the ED (Fee et al., Annals of Emergency Medicine, October 2007). Two related studies also published this month in the journal examine the impact of ED overcrowding on antibiotic administration for patients with community-acquired pneumonia and on delays in treatment and nontreatment for patients with severe pain (Annals of Emergency Medicine release, 9/28).

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