The American Academy of Pediatrics concludes that reducing crowding in emergency departments will require a coordinated effort across the health care delivery system. The Academy’s recommendations are in a new policy statement, “Crowding in the Emergency Department: Challenges and Recommendations for the Care of Children.” The statement and an accompanying technical report will be published in the March 2023 Pediatrics (published online Feb. 20).
“Emergency departments serve as a safety net for health care in many communities,” said Toni K. Gross, MD, MPH, FAAP, lead author of the policy statement. “They need to be readily available to provide emergency care not only on a regular basis but in cases of disasters or pandemics. This requires a careful, coordinated effort on the part of health care systems to improve the flow and care of patients. It also requires helping more young patients access care for chronic conditions in a clinic or other outpatient setting, rather than the emergency department.”
Click here to see the full set of recommendations.