Hospital Universitario San Rafael faces 220% emergency room overcrowding

The Hospital Universitario San Rafael in Boyacá, Colombia, has reached a critical overcrowding level of 220% in its adult emergency department. Hospital manager Germán Pertuz confirmed that 140 patients with formal hospitalization orders are currently waiting in hallways for available beds.

To address the crisis, management has requested the immediate activation of regional mechanisms for unified bed management and the acceleration of patient transfers to lower-complexity centers. Authorities are also working to strengthen home care services to decongest the facility. The hospital has advised the community to visit the emergency room only for vital emergencies, noting that care is prioritized by triage rather than arrival order.