Tackling ED Boarding: How AI Can Save Hospitals Millions and Improve Patient Care

ED boarding—when admitted patients wait in the emergency department due to a lack of available inpatient beds—has major financial consequences for hospitals. A study published in Emergency Medicine International found that psychiatric patients boarded in the ED incur direct losses of over $1,100 per patient, rising to more than $2,200 when factoring in lost bed turnover. In 2025, this amount increases to over $3,100 when adjusted for inflation. These patients often stay in the ED nearly three times longer than others, blocking space for additional revenue-generating cases.

Further research shows that the cost of boarding patients in the ED is twice that of treating them in an inpatient setting. Reducing boarding times by just one hour could boost daily revenue by up to $13,000—equating to nearly $5 million annually—by preventing patients from leaving without care or being diverted.

At WellPlaced, we recognize the critical importance of continuity of care in psychiatric treatment and our motto is simple: Moving Care Forward. Our AI-driven platform streamlines the patient transfer process—expediting placements, improving clinical outcomes, and delivering significant financial benefits for hospitals.