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Life or Death: The 10 States With the Longest ER Wait Times

Emergency room visits are an unavoidable aspect of life. Knowing which states have the longest wait times can be crucial, particularly for residents or those considering a move.

Maryland

ER entrance.
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Maryland experiences the longest ER wait times in the country, averaging 4 hours and 2 minutes. Despite having top medical facilities like Johns Hopkins Hospital, a significant nursing shortage with 25% of positions unfilled exacerbates the delay.

Rhode Island

rhode-island.
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Ranking second, Rhode Island sees an average ER wait time of 3 hours and 34 minutes, a substantial figure given its small population and 19 hospitals.

Massachusetts

Massachusetts.
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Massachusetts is third with an average wait of 3 hours and 33 minutes. The state faces challenges such as staff shortages and high turnover, often filling gaps with travel nurses.

Delaware

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Delaware’s average wait time is 3 hours and 30 minutes, placing it fourth. The state struggles with not only long wait times but also a scarcity of top-rated hospitals.

New York

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In fifth place, New York has an average wait of 3 hours and 21 minutes. The state is notable for having several hospitals rated as poor performers.

Arizona

Arizona.
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Arizona is sixth with a wait time of 3 hours and 13 minutes. The state is distinguished by its minimal public health funding at only $79 per person.

New Jersey

NJ.
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Seventh-ranked New Jersey has an average wait time of 3 hours and 11 minutes. The state faces a critical nurse shortage projected to reach 11,400 by 2030.

Connecticut

CT.
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Connecticut ranks eighth, with an average wait time of 3 hours and 2 minutes. Despite having five top hospitals, it has some of the highest healthcare costs in the nation.

Pennsylvania & California

PA-and-CA.
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Tied for ninth, both states have an average ER wait time of 3 hours. Pennsylvania deals with healthcare access issues in rural areas, while California has seen a reduction in emergency departments despite rising demand.

Vermont

Vermont-in-fall.
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Vermont rounds out the top ten with an average wait time of 2 hours and 58 minutes.

Understanding these wait times is essential for those seeking timely medical care in these states.

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Author

  • Dede Wilson

    DĆ©dĆ© Wilson is a journalist with over 17 cookbooks to her name and is the co-founder and managing partner of the digital media partnership Shift Works Partners LLC, currently publishing through two online media brands, FODMAP EverydayĀ® and The Queen Zone.

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