Causes and Consequences of Overcrowding in Emergency Departments and Its Impact on Patients’ Care at Main Governmental Hospitals in Gaza Strip: A Cross-sectional Study

Background Emergency department (ED) overcrowding is a growing challenge in many healthcare systems, particularly in resource-limited settings such as the Gaza Strip. It negatively affects patient care quality, staff performance, and overall hospital efficiency. This study aimed to identify the main causes and consequences of ED overcrowding in the main governmental hospitals in Gaza and to assess its impact on healthcare delivery. Methods A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among 289 healthcare professionals, including doctors and nurses, working in the EDs of Al-Shifa Medical Complex, Nasser Medical Complex, European Gaza Hospital, and the Indonesian Hospital. Data were collected using a structured, self-administered questionnaire that assessed demographic characteristics, perceived causes, and consequences of overcrowding. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS software, employing descriptive statistics, independent t-tests, and one-way ANOVA to determine significant differences among participants’ responses. Results The study found that the most common causes of overcrowding were the high number of non-emergency cases presenting to EDs, inadequate staff salaries, limited bed capacity, and insufficient staffing levels. Significant differences in participants’ perceptions were observed according to gender, profession, years of experience, workplace, and department (p < 0.001). The consequences of overcrowding included increased workload and stress among staff, decreased job satisfaction, delayed patient care, and heightened risks of violence and medical errors. Overcrowding was also perceived to negatively impact patient satisfaction and hospital efficiency. Conclusion Overcrowding in Gaza’s emergency departments is a complex and multifactorial problem that severely affects healthcare delivery and staff wellbeing. Addressing this issue requires systemic interventions, including improved triage protocols, enhanced staffing and resource allocation, better coordination between pre-hospital and ED services, and public education on appropriate ED use to ensure timely and effective patient care.