Emergency medicine international
Factors Associated With Prolonged Emergency Department (ED) Length of Stay (LOS) at a Tertiary Care Hospital in Nepal: A Cross-Sectional Study
By Pradhan P, Batajoo KH, Kumar A and 3 others.
Abstract
Background
Emergency department (ED) length of stay (LOS) is an important indicator of healthcare efficiency and patient flow. The duration of ED stay is influenced by a complex interaction of patient-related, clinical and system-level factors. Prolonged LOS (> 4 h) contributes to ED overcrowding and adverse patient outcomes. However, limited data exist regarding factors influencing ED LOS in Nepal.
Method
A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted in the ED of KIST Medical College and Teaching Hospital (MCTH), a tertiary care hospital in Lalitpur, Nepal, from May 15, 2025, to May 30, 2025. All patients presenting to the ED during the study period were eligible for inclusion. Consecutive patient records were reviewed. ED LOS was defined as the time from patient arrival to ED exit. LOS was summarized using median and interquartile range (IQR). Group differences were assessed using the Mann-Whitney U and Kruskal-Wallis tests. Variables with p < 0.20 in univariate analysis were entered into a multivariable logistic regression model to identify factors independently associated with prolonged ED LOS (> 4 h). Adjusted odds ratios (aORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were reported.