Decreasing Emergency Room Wait Times in Connecticut
Emergency department (ED) wait times in Connecticut have reached critical levels, with the state ranking seventh nationally for longest visits and an average wait time exceeding three hours. Many reported wait times exceed five hours. This capstone project examines the problem by reviewing 10 key sources and analyzing data from an original survey administered to 33 Connecticut residents with recent emergency department experience. The central research question asks: What are the primary causes of prolonged ED wait times in Connecticut, and how can evidence-based process improvements, technology solutions, and policy changes reduce delays while enhancing patient flow, experience, and operational efficiency?
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