ED Overcrowding: Successful Action Plans of a Southern California Community Hospital

Abstract

Overcrowded emergency departments threaten access to emergency care for everyone. In the last 12 years, US ED visits have risen from 89.8 million to 110.2 million, more than a 22% increase. 1. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Department of Health and Human Services. Data and Statistics. Available form: URL: http://www.cdc.gov Google Scholar The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention cites an increase of 2.7 million visits from 2001 to 2002, despite reduced hospital resources. In turn, hospitals operate fewer inpatient beds. Between 1990 and 1999, hospitals lost 103,000 staffed beds and 7800 medical/surgical intensive care unit beds. 1. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Department of Health and Human Services. Data and Statistics. Available form: URL: http://www.cdc.gov Google Scholar Many clinical specialties in health care are facing dramatic shortages, with one of the most serious being nursing. Enrollment in California nursing schools is limited, primarily due to 2 factors: state budget cuts and a shortage of qualified nursing instructors. And the average age of the nursing workforce is 48 years. With these startling figures, there is no end in sight to today's health care crisis, and it probably has not reached its pinnacle. In addition, a steady increase in population throughout the country is occurring, particularly in the western region of the country.