Study: ED boarding results in lower quality care

Emergency department boarding ─ providing care for patients in the ED after the decision to admit due to lack of inpatient bed availability ─ results in poor quality care and patient harm, a study found. The study, published in the December 2023 issue of The Joint Commission Journal on Quality and Patient Safety, consisted of a cross-sectional survey and focus group interviews with ED clinicians, including nurses. They felt ED boarding results in increased patient safety events. They desired standardization for the boarding care process and felt they lacked knowledge, resources and training to care for boarded patients. They wanted proactive bed and resource planning for boarded patients and improved communication with patients and among the team. They also wanted culture change regarding boarding care. (The Joint Commission news release, 11/28/23)