There is sound literature that older patients who board in the ED have higher rates of delirium, longer hospital stays, more complications and possibly higher mortality. Some institutions are starting to prioritize moving older patients upstairs ahead of others who may have been boarding longer in the ED. Hopefully some data will be out soon to see if this intuitive approach actually improves these outcomes.
References
10.1016/j.emc.2024.08.013 https://gedcollaborative.com/resource/boarding/boarding-strategies-and-harm-reduction/
https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm14103556 doi:10.1001/jamainternmed.2025.2006 https://doi.org/10.1111/jgs.19602