Factors associated with prolonged stays in a high-complexity emergency department within Peru's social security system

Taype Huamaní W.; De La Cruz-Rojas L.; Amado Tineo J. · Revista del Cuerpo Medico Hospital Nacional Almanzor Aguinaga Asenjo (2026) · DOI: 10.35434/rcmhnaaa.2026.192.3098

Resumen

Introduction: Prolonged stays (PS) in emergency departments (EDs) are a common problem that affects the quality of care and hospital efficiency. Objective: To evaluate the factors associated with PS in the ED of a national social security hospital in Lima, Peru. Materials and Methods: Cross-sectional observational study. The study included 370 electronic medical records of patients over 14 years of age discharged from the emergency department during February 2024. PS was defined as a stay exceeding 48 hours, and factors associated with PS were grouped into four dimensions: healthcare personnel, hospital administration, patient, and healthcare network. Descriptive statistics and multivariate analysis using Poisson regression were applied, estimating adjusted prevalence ratios (aPR) and 95% confidence intervals. Results: The median length of stay was 93.5 hours (IQR: 141), the mean age was 65.6 years (SD: 19.5), and 53.2% were female. 76.5% were from medical wards and 23.5% from surgical wards. 11.9% of patients died, 23.5% were discharged home, and 62.4% were transferred to other hospital departments. 72% of patients had a prevalence ratio associated with older age (aPR = 1.005; 95% CI: 1.000–1.009), care in medical wards (aPR = 1.380; 95% CI: 1.108–1.720), and inadequate family support (aPR = 1.498; 95% CI: 1.218–1.843). Conclusions: PS was found in three out of every four patients evaluated in the emergency department, and was associated with older age, care in clinical areas, and inadequate family support.

Instituciones: Universidad Nacional Mayor de San Marcos; Universidad Nacional Federico Villarreal; Universidad Nacional de Educación Enrique Guzmán y Valle