Understanding corridor and escalation area care in 165 UK emergency departments: a multicentre cross-sectional snapshot study

Almost one in five ED patients was experiencing escalation area care during the five snapshots. National guidance states escalation area use is not acceptable; this research demonstrates it is routine. This study supports the hypothesis that, to address ED escalation area care, the focus should be on facilitating the flow of patients who require an inpatient bed out of the ED. Further research should consider the effect of escalation area care on patient level outcomes and the effectiveness of interventions to reduce ED crowding.