Emergency room (ER) wait times can be long for North Carolina residents. Long ER wait times can delay critical care, reduce patient satisfaction, and increase the risk of complications.
⬇️ Scroll down to compare hospitals by average ER wait times. Verify the expected ER wait time with your healthcare provider.
💡 Consider advice for protecting yourself from germs and preparing for long wait times.
ER wait time is defined as the time between (a) the admit decision time; and (b) the time of departure from the emergency room for ER patients admitted to inpatient status.
ER wait times are estimated based upon available data from the U.S. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.
Protect Yourself & Loved Ones
Crowded waiting rooms can increase your risk of exposure to diseases. Hospitals are often filled with patients with contagious conditions. Protect yourself as you wait for emergency care.
- 😷 Wear a mask. Protect yourself from respiratory illnesses. Masks are particularly effective during flu seasons.
- 🧴 Practice hand hygiene. Contact with shared surfaces, such as chairs, doorknobs, and check-in kiosks, can expose you to pathogens. Regularly wash your hands with soap and water. Use a hand sanitizer.
- 📱 Protect belongings. Germs can transfer to your belongings. Keep personal items, such as phones and bags, away from shared surfaces. Sanitize personal items with disinfecting wipes at home.
- 💪🏼 Boost your immune system. Build an extra layer of protection with supplements. Vitamin C, Vitamin D, and zinc can boost immune function to fight infections.
Prepare for Long Wait Times
Long wait times are often unavoidable, especially during peak times or for non-urgent conditions. Prepare for an extended stay to be more comfortable and to reduce stress.
- 🧣 Bring comfort aids. Prolonged sitting can be uncomfortable, especially for older adults. Bring a neck pillow, lumbar cushion, and percussion massager.
- 🎮 Bring entertainment. Entertainment can reduce stress and boredom. Bring a mobile electronic device, such as tablets, laptops and phones.
- 🎧 Wear noise-cancelling headphones. Hospitals can be noisy environments, which can increase stress. Wear noise-cancelling headphones to block out the commotion.
- 🍪 Pack healthy snacks. Hospitals may have limited food options. Bring snacks to sustain energy levels. Check with the doctor or nurse practitioner if fasting is required. Consider trail mix, whole-grain crackers or granola bars.
- 🧦 Dress comfortably. Hospitals can have variable temperatures. Dress in layers. Wear comfortable clothing.
North Carolina Hospitals with Shortest Wait Times
Below are five hospitals in North Carolina with the shortest emergency room wait times:
- 🥇 Swain Community Hospital has the shortest average ER wait time at 1.4 hours in North Carolina
- 🥈 FirstHealth Montgomery Memorial Hospital, with an average wait time of 1.6 hours, ranks second for the shortest ER wait time in North Carolina
- 🥉 Highlands Cashiers Hospital, with an average wait time of 1.6 hours, ranks third for the shortest ER wait time in North Carolina
- Atrium Health Anson, with an average wait time of 2.0 hours, ranks fourth for the shortest ER wait time in North Carolina
- Dosher Memorial Hospital, with an average wait time of 2.0 hours, ranks fifth for the shortest ER wait time in North Carolina
North Carolina Hospitals with Longest Wait Times
Below are five hospitals in North Carolina with the longest emergency room wait times:
- 🐌 Duke University Hospital has the longest average ER wait time at 7.2 hours in North Carolina
- 🐢 Duke Regional Hospital, with an average wait time of 5.2 hours, ranks second for the longest ER wait time in North Carolina
- 🦥 ECU Health Medical Center, with an average wait time of 4.9 hours, ranks third for the longest ER wait time in North Carolina
- Southeastern Regional Medical Center, with an average wait time of 4.4 hours, ranks fourth for the longest ER wait time in North Carolina
- UNC Hospitals, with an average wait time of 4.4 hours, ranks fifth for the longest ER wait time in North Carolina
Plan Ahead for Peak Times
Planning your visit to the emergency room can significantly impact wait times, particularly if the medical issue is not urgent.
Mondays tend to be the busiest day of the week in hospital emergency rooms. The accumulation of non-emergency cases over the weekend often result in a surge of patient volume on the first work day of the week. If your condition allows for flexibility in seeking care, consider the day of the week for your visit. Avoid Mondays and weekends.
Demand seasonality may also affect wait times in emergency rooms, particularly among younger patients. Young children, aged 0 to 5, see a rise in emergency visits during autumn, with a notable decline in the summer months. Children, aged 5 to 19, experience a peak in spring and a similar decrease in the summer.
The time of day is unlikely to significantly reduce wait times, as hospitals align staff availability with patient volumes. During standard business hours, from morning to early evening, full staffing is in place. However, higher patient volumes during these times can create bottlenecks. Even with more medical personnel, increased demand can still lead to longer waits as emergency rooms handle the influx of patients.
Consider Other Care Options
If medical conditions are not urgent, you can consider alternative care options:
- Family doctors can serve as the primary point of contact for managing ongoing or non-urgent medical concerns. They provide comprehensive and personalized care, often maintaining detailed records of a patient’s medical history, which facilitates continuity of care and long-term management of health conditions.
- Walk-in clinics can offer convenient medical services for minor injuries or illnesses without the requirement of an appointment.
- Urgent care centers can provide medical attention for non-life-threatening conditions, such as minor fractures or severe flu symptoms. These centers typically offer faster service compared to emergency rooms.