The Terrible Limbo Between the Emergency Room and a Hospital Bed

""I will not go to the emergency room" became my husband's mantra, emphasizing his adamant rejection of the emergency department due to past terrifying experiences."

"We had already learned the hard way that if you need admission to the hospital, you can remain in the emergency department for more than 24 hours, even for days."

"In this limbo state, you're technically admitted to the hospital but still located in the physical domain of the ER, where care and safety measures become much less clear."

"Andrej had been a big, athletic guy, but now, in the ugly process of dying, he was looking gaunt, highlighting the stark reality of his condition."

Andrej, suffering from advanced esophageal cancer, insisted on avoiding the emergency room despite severe health declines. His mantra stemmed from previous experiences of prolonged waits and inadequate care in emergency departments. The author created a home hospital environment to manage his symptoms until a crisis forced them to seek emergency care. The experience underscored the difficulties faced by patients and families navigating the healthcare system during critical times, particularly the challenges of emergency department boarding and its impact on patient care.

Read at The Atlantic