How can an emergency room visit take over 6 hours. I have a 75 year old mother that fell and broke her ankle. I have been in the emergency room since 5:30 it is now midnight. I understand emergencies arise but she is 75 years old in pain and the emergency attendant or doctors seem to be on their own time schedule. It really amazes me how the ER is run here there is no reason that anyone should have to wait and be in pain for 6 hours. People with minor injures were seen and discharged when my mom ankle was physically hanging off. There is no sense of urgency here and no training or patient organization based on severity of issues. My moms ankle needed attention immediately, when I asked when she would be seen he indicated he needed a special room to do sedation. How many rooms does a hospital have and why would it take 6 hours.