Are Overnight Stays in the Emergency Department Problematic?

Hospital staffing and bed shortages can result in prolonged emergency department (ED) stays for patients who are awaiting admission, but prolonged ED stays have been associated with adverse outcomes. In this prospective study from 97 French EDs, researchers compared two groups of older adults (age, ≥75; mean age, 86). The ED group consisted of 700 patients who stayed in the ED from midnight to 8 a.m. and subsequently were admitted; the ward group consisted of 900 patients who were admitted before midnight.

The ED group had significantly higher risks for in-hospital death (16% vs. 11%; adjusted risk ratio, 1.4) and adverse events (aRR, 1.2). Hospital stays were longer for the ED group (9 vs. 8 days). Among patients who required assistance wit…