Reducing emergency department crowding through a transition ward: a pre-post observational study.
Transition ward use was linked to fewer boarding patients in the emergency department
Reducing emergency department crowding through a transition ward: a pre-post observational study.
Emergency department (emergency department) crowding is a persistent global issue, particularly in tertiary and university hospitals, where delayed admissions impair patient flow.
This study aimed to evaluate the impact of implementing a transition ward (transition ward), established in May 2022 as a temporary inpatient care area to accommodate eligible admitted emergency department patients awaiting hospital beds, on emergency department crowding, focusing on reductions in boarding patient numbers and overall patient volume in emergency department.
This prospective, observational, single-center study was conducted at the Adult emergency department of a tertiary hospital between April 23 and June 2, 2023.
The median longest examination waiting time decreased by 40.2% (from 66.0 minutes to 39.5 minutes; median difference -26.5, 95% CI: -36.9 to -16.1).
The transition ward was associated with significant reductions in total emergency department patient volume and boarding patient volume, particularly in a high-volume tertiary care setting.
These findings suggest that TWs can contribute to measurable improvements in emergency department patient flow and reductions in access block. Based on these positive outcomes, similar units may be extended to other inpatient specialties.