Overnight Boarding in ED Is Associated With Increased Mortality in Older Adults

Background: Many hospitals across the world are busy and crowded, with a shortage of inpatient beds. This results in patients waiting in the emergency department (ED) after admission, or boarding, while awaiting an inpatient bed. Older patients are often more frail and may be at higher risk of complications. Objective: To assess if admitted older patients who stay overnight in the ED are at increased risk of morbidity and mortality. Design: Prospective cohort study. Participants: Patients aged ≥75 years who presented to EDs across France and were admitted over a 2-day period in 2022. Methods: Almost 1600 patients were enrolled, with the comparison groups defined as those who spent the night in the ED (midnight to 8 AM ) and those who were transported to an inpatient unit before midnight. The primary outcome was in-hospital mortality by 30 days, with secondary outcomes including adverse events such as falls, infection, and length of stay. Results: In older patients who spend a night i more...