Explore the critical issue of emergency department crowding in this 27-minute presentation from the 32nd Annual EM & Acute Care Course. Delve into the causes, consequences, and potential solutions to this widespread problem affecting healthcare systems. Examine the impact of factors such as uninsured patients, low-complexity cases, and full hospital units on ED overcrowding. Understand the serious consequences, including patient boarding, walkouts, increased mortality rates, and financial implications for hospitals. Learn about strategies to address crowding, such as implementing order sets and improving hospital-wide processes. Gain valuable insights from a synthesis of research from the Emergency Medical Abstracts database and expert clinical experience, providing practical recommendations for improving emergency care delivery and patient outcomes.