Reducing Emergency Department Wait Times at #MACoCon

With Maryland’s emergency department wait times soaring beyond the national average, panelists discuss innovative, community-driven solutions that aim to transform the entire health care system.

Maryland has regularly been reported to have the longest hospital room wait times of any state in the US, most recently averaging an eight hour wait time. Many reports show evidence of the problem as far back as 2017, well before the pandemic, and potentially having started even earlier. According to a recent WYPR article, studies show long emergency room wait times are correlated with an increased risk of death and higher likelihood of being admitted to the hospital rather than treated and released. Experts know the severity of this issue and discussed it at length at the 2024 MACo Summer Conference.

Senator Karen Lewis Young

The session, “Hurry Up and Wait – Reducing Emergency Department Wait Times,” hosted state and local representatives across Maryland to discuss what the challenges are and what is making a difference. Maryland Senator Karen Lewis Young discussed the complexities of emergency departments (ED) wait times and walked audience members through the background of the stakeholder group. Senator Lewis Young outlined the policies and themes discussed by the workgroup to help address ED wait times such as workforce development.

“The top priority is the need for a variety of workforce solutions to bolster the staffing pipeline for numerous occupations, such as physicians, nurses of various levels, imaging technicians, social workers, care coordinators, and non-clinical professionals.” – Maryland Senator Karen Lewis Young

Description: Wait times in Maryland emergency departments are longer than the national average with the majority of facilities experiencing wait times over 5 hours…and the longest nearing 24 hours. Recent legislation established the Maryland Emergency Department Wait Time Reduction Commission to address factors throughout the health care system that are contributing to this crisis. The solution lies within a collaboration by the entire health care system. The panel will discuss upstream solutions communities are using, such as mobile crisis teams led by local health departments, preventative services, connection to care supports, and more. Experts will outline efforts to incentivize primary care and other providers in the community, as well as federal programs to improve population health and connection to community resources.

Speakers:

  • Dr. Kisha Davis – Health Officer, Montgomery County
  • Dr. Anna Palmisano – Director, Maryland for Patient Rights
  • Dr. Neel Vibhakar – Associate Chief Clinical Officer, University of Maryland Medical Systems
  • The Honorable Senator Karen Lewis Young, Maryland Senate

Moderator: The Honorable Joseline Peña-Melnyk, Maryland House of Delegates

More about MACo’s Summer Conference: