Analysis of factors influencing length of stay in the emergency department in public hospital, Padang, Indonesia

Background

Extending the time patients spend in the emergency department (ED) not only diminishes the quality of care but also heightens the potential for harm and adversely impacts patient satisfaction. However, there exists a dearth of accessible information regarding the length of stay (LOS) in emergency departments and the factors associated with it in Indonesia. This study aims to analyze the factors that influence the LOS of patients in the emergency department of a public hospital in Padang, Indonesia.

Methods

This research design is a cross-sectional approach. The sample was patients who visited the ED in a tertiary public hospital in Padang (n = 328). The data collected from the medical records included length of stay, mode of arrival, case type, triage scale, diagnostic examination, specialist consultation needs, and needs for admission. Data analysis was performed using the chi-square statistical test and binary logistic regression.

Results

The percentage of patients with LOS > 6 h in the emergency department was 29 %. There was a significant relationship between the triage scale, diagnostic tests, and the need for hospitalization with LOS (p < 0.05). The results of the multivariate analysis showed that the case type and the need for admission to hospitalization influence 12.4 % of LOS in ED.

Conclusion

This study enriches our comprehension of the variables exerting the most substantial impact on the average duration of stay in the emergency department of a hospital in Indonesia. The findings will assist policymakers in crafting enduring strategies to optimize patient flow in the emergency department.