The impact of ED boarding time, severity of illness, and discharge destination on outcomes of critically ill ED patients.

This aim of this study was to determine the association between emergency department (ED) boarding time, severity of illness, and outcomes for critically ill patients. This was a prospective cohort study of ED patients who met criteria for admission to the intensive care unit (ICU). Patients were divided into 2 groups: those who spent less than 6 hr in the ED prior to transfer, and those who spent 6 hr or more.