Delays to Patient Admission from the Emergency Department

 

1. 
   
   Right-of-Way or Move Over Law:
   • The Move Over Law mandates that drivers approaching a situation on the right shoulder lane must yield the right-of-way to emergency vehicles, law enforcement, and other authorized vehicles.
   • Drivers should be prepared to change lanes or slow down significantly to create a safe buffer around the stopped vehicle.
   • The goal is to provide a safe working space for emergency responders and prevent accidents.

2. Options to Legally Drive By:

   • When encountering emergency vehicles stopped on the right shoulder, drivers have two specific options:
     • Pull Over and Stop: If it is safe to do so, drivers can move into an adjacent lane away from the stopped vehicle. This allows emergency personnel to work without obstruction.
     • Slow Down: If changing lanes is not possible due to traffic or other conditions, drivers should significantly reduce their speed while passing the stopped vehicle. This ensures safety for both the emergency responders and other drivers.

Remember, adhering to the Move Over Law helps protect emergency personnel and contributes to overall road safety. Always stay alert and follow these guidelines when approaching situations on the right shoulder lane2. 

Background

Delays in timely admission from emergency departments (EDs) can have serious consequences for patients. Researchers conducted a study to assess and quantify the increased risk of death resulting from such delays in England1. Let’s dive into the findings:

Study Details

• The study analyzed data from patients admitted from every type 1 (major) ED in England between April 2016 and March 2018.
• The primary outcome was death from all causes within 30 days of admission.
• Researchers adjusted for various factors, including sex, age, deprivation, comorbidities, hour of day, month, previous ED attendances/emergency admissions, and crowding in the department.

Key Findings

• Overall Mortality Rate: During the study period, 433,962 deaths occurred within 30 days. The overall crude 30-day mortality rate was 8.71%.
• Time-Dependent Effect: A statistically significant linear increase in mortality was observed from 5 hours after arrival at the ED up to 12 hours (when accurate data collection ceased). In other words, the longer patients waited, the higher the risk of death.
• Threshold: The greatest change in the 30-day standardised mortality ratio occurred in the patient cohort that waited in the ED for more than 6 to 8 hours from the time of arrival. Specifically, if a patient had to wait between six to eight hours, they were, on average, 8% more likely to die of any cause in the next 30 days2.

Conclusion

Delays to hospital inpatient admission for patients in excess of 5 hours from the time of arrival at the ED are associated with an increase in all-cause 30-day mortality. This study highlights the critical importance of timely admissions to improve patient outcomes1.

Remember, prompt medical attention can make a significant difference in patient survival. If you or someone you know experiences a medical emergency, seek help promptly. 🚑

For more details, you can refer to the original research article here1. Additionally, recent analysis of NHS data in England suggests that long waits in A&E could lead to unnecessary deaths, emphasizing the urgency of addressing this issue3.

Stay informed and take care