Ambulance offload delays and patient outcomes: a systematic review

The authors conducted a systematic review to investigate the relationship between ambulance offload delays and patient outcomes, particularly focusing on whether these delays contribute to patient harm. While the review found that offload delays are linked to longer emergency department stays, the evidence regarding their impact on clinical outcomes, such as mortality, remains inconclusive due to methodological limitations and variability in definitions of offload delay. The authors emphasize the need for further research to clarify the potential adverse effects of these delays on patient care.