ER boarding is a growing issue in U.S. hospitals, causing patients, especially those with dementia, to wait for care in uncomfortable conditions. A recent investigation highlighted alarming wait times, including a case where a dementia patient waited 12 hours before evaluation. The decrease in available hospital beds complicates the situation further. A study indicates that extended wait times can lead to delirium in dementia patients, raising concerns about future hospital capacity as the population ages.
"Boarding duration is a direct risk factor for developing delirium or severe agitation during inpatient admission, especially in patients with dementia."
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