Australia reports longer emergency department waits for older patients
Older people presenting to Australian emergency departments were given an inpatient bed within eight hours in 54% of cases in 2023–24.
The Australasian College for Emergency Medicine reported that older patients in Australia are experiencing longer emergency department waits and that hospitals are struggling to meet demand linked to an aging population.
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- 54%
Older people presenting to Australian emergency departments were given an inpatient bed within eight hours in 54% of cases in 2023–24.
“only 54 per cent of older people who presented at emergency departments in 2023–24 were given an inpatient bed within eight hours”
- 75%
Older people presenting to Australian emergency departments were given an inpatient bed within eight hours in 75% of cases in 2018–19.
“a decline from 75 per cent in 2018–19”
- 16%
The number of older people presenting to Australian emergency departments increased by 16% over five years to 2023–24.
“the number of older people presenting at EDs increased by 16 per cent from five years earlier”