title: Last straw.
abstract: At last, a chance to vent my spleen about the four-hour operational standard in emergency departments (EDs). When it was introduced, I was one of the many nurses who fought against it vehemently. But, because staff from other specialties had to attend EDs promptly, and treatment plans and rapid patient admission or discharge followed, I saw its value. We could treat minor injuries quickly and provide a fast turnover for patients.