Massachusetts emergency room wait times rank among the longest in the U.S.

"If you find yourself in need of emergency care in Massachusetts, it could take a while. The Bay State ranks No. 3 in the U.S. for longest average time patients spend in the emergency department, according to World Population Review. Patients here spend an average of 189 minutes - more than three hours - in the ER before leaving the hospital. Only Maryland (228 minutes) and Delaware (195 minutes) report longer average delays."

"An analysis from health insurance comparison site Compare the Market found that the U.S. has among the fewest hospitals per capita in the world, a factor that likely contributes to overcrowded emergency departments and longer wait times. Even some of the largest and most profitable hospitals in Boston report extended ER stays. A Boston Globe analysis found that at hospitals like Mass General and Brigham and Women's, patients wait 12 to 24 hours, and sometimes longer, to receive care."

"The problem has worsened in recent years. The share of Massachusetts emergency department visits lasting 12 hours or more has risen from 6.6% in 2020 to 9.9% in the first five months of 2024, according to the state's Health Policy Commission. For patients experiencing mental health crises, the numbers are even more stark. Nearly 39% of emergency department visits in 2024 were for behavioral health, up from 31.3% in 2020."

Massachusetts emergency department patients spend an average of 189 minutes in the ER before leaving the hospital. Limited hospital capacity and staffing shortages drive extended emergency stays. The U.S. has among the fewest hospitals per capita globally, contributing to overcrowded emergency departments and longer waits. Large, profitable Boston hospitals report ER waits of 12 to 24 hours, and sometimes longer. The share of Massachusetts emergency department visits lasting 12 hours or more rose from 6.6% in 2020 to 9.9% in the first five months of 2024. Visits for behavioral health increased from 31.3% in 2020 to nearly 39% in 2024, while workforce vacancies in behavioral health, community health, and technician positions continue to strain hospitals and prolong patient stays.

Read at Boston.com