Studying length of stay in the Emergency Department of A.O.R.N. “Antonio Cardarelli” of Naples

Abstract

The Emergency Department (ED) is one of the main points of hospital access. Within the ED, where it is not possible to predict accurately the demand, the timeliness and appropriateness of the response are fundamental elements. The clinicians who work within the ED have seen to complicate the already difficult work activity by particular conditions such as overcrowding. This phenomenon, which characterizes ED in almost all developing countries, can cause patient abandonment, delays and dissatisfaction. To be able to study it and seek improvement solutions, one way is to investigate the length of stay (LOS). In this study, a maximum stay threshold will be identified and the ED-LOS of patients who arrived at ED of A.O.R.N. “Antonio Cardarelli” of Naples (Italy) in the last quarter of 2019 will be studied with statistical analysis first and logistic regression then. Age, triage code, time and mode of arrival proved to be the main risk factors for prolonged ED-LOS.