An Updated Scoping Review of FactorsAssociated with Length of Stay in EmergencyDepartment

Understanding and Reducing Emergency Department Length of Stay: A Comprehensive Scoping Review by Universitas Padjadjaran Faculty of Nursing

The length of stay (LOS) in hospital emergency departments (ED) critically affects patient outcomes, resource utilization, and overall healthcare quality. A recent scoping review led by Kurhayati, Etika Prof. Emaliyawati,S.Kep.,Ners.,M.Kep., and Prof. Yanny Trisyani, SKp, MN., Ph.D., from the Faculty of Nursing, Universitas Padjadjaran, systematically explored the multifaceted factors influencing ED LOS, offering valuable insights for hospital management and policy.

Published in Journal of Multidisciplinary Healthcare (2025), the review analyzed studies from 2022 to 2025 and identified five key categories impacting LOS: patient characteristics (such as age, gender, and comorbidities), time and environmental factors (including night and weekend visits), hospital and health system dynamics (hospital type, bed availability, insurance status), diagnostic and treatment delays, and patient arrival modes (ambulance or referral).

The findings underscore the complexity of ED congestion and emphasize the need for optimized triage processes, improved diagnostic workflows, and enhanced interdepartmental coordination. The authors advocate for evidence-based innovations such as digital medical records and predictive analytics to streamline ED operations and reduce patient wait times.

This research supports Sustainable Development Goal 3 (Good Health and Well-being) by promoting efficient emergency care systems that ensure timely and quality treatment for all patients.

🔗 Read the full article here: https://doi.org/10.2147/JMDH.S525451