Boarding times of patients admitted to the Emergency Department of an Ethiopian hospital

Background Prolonged boarding time has significant impacts on the quality of care, patient safety, and patient satisfaction. However, there is a paucity of evidence regarding patients’ experiences and boarding time in Ethiopia. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the boarding time of patients admitted to the adult Emergency Department (ED) of an Ethiopian hospital. Methods A cross-sectional study design was employed at Jimma University Medical Center, from May 1 to June 30, 2024. A consecutive sampling technique was used to select 422 participants. Data were collected through patient interviews and chart reviews. Descriptive and linear regression analysis were performed to identify factors associated with boarding time. A p-value of <0.05 with 95% confidence interval (CI) was used to declare a statistically significant association. Results The average boarding time in the ED was 37.9 ± 30.0 h, with 72.7% of patients experienced prolonged boarding time in the ED. Self-payment, triage to orange or yellow categories, being comatose, and longer ED length of stay were associated with increased boarding time. In contrast, ICU admission and patient satisfaction were associated with decreased boarding time. Conclusion Nearly three-fourths of the study participants experienced prolonged boarding time in the ED. Self-pay, being triaged to orange or yellow category, comatose status, and ED length of stay were associated with increased boarding time. ICU admission and patient satisfaction were associated with decreased boarding time. The hospital should provide additional inpatient beds, implement efficient triage and admission protocols, strengthen insurance coverage, improve diagnostic efficiency, develop an early discharge planning protocol, improve oxygen supply, appropriate deployment of porters and enhance effective interdepartmental communication to decrease boarding time.