Table 2.
Perceived causes of overcrowding and comparison between facility types*
| Reason | All hospitals (n = 113) | Median | Private/community hospitals (n = 92) | Median | County/university hospitals (n = 21) | Median |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Managed care authorization calls | 2.3 ± 1.3 | 2 | 2.3 ± 1.4 | 2 | 2.3 ± 1.0 | 3 |
| Triage nurse too busy | 2.8 ± 1.1 | 3 | 2.7 ± 1.1 | 3 | 3.0 ± 1.4 | 3 |
| Increased volume | 3.3 ± 1.5 | 3 | 3.4 ± 1.4 | 4 | 2.7 ± 1.6 | 3 |
| Increased patient acuity | 4.3 ± 0.9 | 5 | 4.4 ± 0.9 | 5 | 4.1 ± 0.9 | 4 |
| Space limitations | 3.2 ± 1.5 | 3 | 3.2 ± 1.5 | 3 | 2.9 ± 1.3 | 3 |
| Nursing staff shortage | 3.3 ± 1.3 | 3 | 3.2 ± 1.3 | 3 | 3.7 ± 1.3 | 4 |
| Physician staff shortage | 2.1 ± 1.1 | 2 | 2.1 ± 1.0 | 2 | 2.0 ± 1.0 | 2 |
| Radiology delays | 3.3 ± 1.1 | 3 | 3.3 ± 1.1 | 3 | 3.3 ± 1.1 | 3 |
| Laboratory delays | 3.4 ± 1.2 | 3 | 3.3 ± 1.2 | 3 | 3.7 ± 1.0 | 4 |
| Consultation delays | 3.3 ± 1.2 | 3 | 3.1 ± 1.1 | 3 | 4.1 ± 0.9 | 4 |
| Hospital bed shortage | 3.8 ± 1.2 | 4 | 3.7 ± 1.3 | 4 | 4.1 ± 1.0 | 4 |
*
Directors answered on a 5-point scale: 1 = not a cause; 2 = minor; 3 = moderate; 4 = major; and 5 = severe. Data are given as mean ± SD.