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When Are Emergency Rooms the Least Crowded?

Health issues can require a trip to the emergency room. A significant problem with going to an emergency room is you probably do not know if it's busy. Learning the best time to go can help you avoid waiting too long to see a doctor.

  1. Best Times

    • Author Michael Kaplan writes that the best time to visit emergency rooms is between 8 a.m. and noon on Wednesday, Thursday or Friday morning. Non-threatening medical situations allow you time to call hospitals and find which one has the lowest awaiting time.

    Worst Times

    • According to Dr. Gerardo Chircicolo, emergency medicine specialist of the North Shore--LIJ Health System in New York, the ER is busiest between noon and 10 p.m.. Depending upon the medical situation, if the ER is too crowded staff may redirect less serious injuries to nearby walk-in clinics for speedier service.

    Facts

    • Hospitals that are understaffed or overbooked may be on diversion status, meaning they cannot admit any more patients. Diversion status affects patients in the ER as well as those en route in an ambulance.

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