Measuring What Matters When Patients Leave the Emergency Department

1

Every person in the US is entitled to a medical screening examination in the emergency department, mandated by the Emergency Medical Treatment and Labor Act.
2

A study of 307 California hospitals found that leaving without being seen (LWBS) rates improved before COVID-19, then spiked and decreased again by 2024.
3

LWBS is a complex measure, as it does not differentiate between patients who self-triage and those who leave due to inadequate care.
4

Addressing underlying issues like boarding and understaffing is essential to reduce LWBS rates and improve patient outcomes in emergency departments.
5

Artificial intelligence tools show promise in enhancing patient care during ED waits, but hospitals with high LWBS rates often lack the budget for such technologies.