Document Type
Poster
Associated Faculty
Sarah Hanscome, MSN, RN
Sponsoring Academic Department
School of Nursing
Publication Date
2025
Abstract/ Summary
Across the world, emergency departments (ED) are experiencing an increasing number of non-emergent visits, straining already overwhelmed systems. This increase in non-urgent visits leads to overcrowding in EDs, resulting in delays in treatment, reduced resource availability, increased healthcare burnout, and compromised safety protocols. Beds are always full, resulting in emergent visits being placed in less-than-ideal treatment areas, with other patients treated in the waiting room. All of these factors significantly reduce the quality of care and patient safety. The goal of this literature review is to examine the impact of non-emergent visits on the quality of care and patient safety, comparing them to emergent visits. Peer-reviewed articles published between 2020 and 2025 were identified using CINAHL, PubMed, Nursing Reference Center, and EBSCO. The search was narrowed to include patient safety, overcrowding, quality of care, non-emergent visits, and the emergency department. This literature review identified factors that drive individuals to seek treatment in the ED rather than in non-emergency settings, including a perceived immediacy of care, lack of awareness of other healthcare alternatives, limited access to primary care, and proximity of ED facilities. Due to overcrowded emergency departments, patients experienced longer wait times, and nurses were overextended, which compromised the quality of care provided to individuals. Patient conditions deteriorated while waiting, and nurses were forced to multitask, thereby increasing their risk of errors. Further research is needed in the United States to develop strategies that improve ED efficiency while maintaining a high standard of patient safety and quality of care.
Repository Citation
Andrews, Victoria; Dunn, Olivia; Harper, Hannah; and Kaiser, Natalie, "Non-Emergent Presentations to the Emergency Department Affecting Patient Safety & Care" (2025). Non-Thesis Student Work. 100.
https://digitalcommons.library.umaine.edu/student_work/100
Version
other
Poster