To establish the situation in the Emergency Department and analyze the average waiting time, the research department (DREES) conducted a survey of 52,018 people treated in 736 emergency hospital wards on June 11, 2013. And as surprising as it may seem, the emergency room waiting time lasts less than two hours.
In fact, the Emergency Department takes care of patients in extreme medical situations immediately upon arrival in the department. For those who consider this service as an unscheduled consultation (so-called “felt” emergencies), the wait is obviously longer.
Patients go to the ER on their own initiative
In six out of ten cases, coming to an emergency department is the result of the patient’s initiative or the advice of a loved one. Two-thirds of the sick arrive from their homes and mostly go to the hospital on their own. They are less often transported by firefighters or an ambulance.
The French go to Emergency room because they declare that “there is an identified medical reason and that it is the best way to be treated” or that “this choice is made by default, because of the impossibility of finding an answer with a doctor “.
A certain population consults this service for an urgent need, being convinced that they will wait less than at their doctor’s and that the consultation is free.
Infants and the elderly frequent ERs more often
If traumatic injuries and accidents are still the main causes of emergencies (36% of patients) and are the cause of seven out of ten visits for 10-14 year olds, the use of emergencies is higher for infants. and people aged 75 or over. They consult for more varied reasons (respiratory problems and gastroenterological concerns for children, heart problems for seniors) than other age groups.
After going to the Emergency Room, three quarters of patients go home and 20% are hospitalized.
