['To examine the association between emergency department length of stay (EDLOS) and inpatient length of stay (IPLOS).', 'Retrospective review of presentations and admissions data.', 'Three metropolitan hospitals in Melbourne, 1 July 2000 to 30 June 2001.', 'Mean IPLOS for four categories of EDLOS (</= 4 hours, 4-8 hours, 8-12 hours, >12 hours); excess IPLOS, defined as IPLOS exceeding state average length of stay; odds ratios for excess IPLOS adjusted for age, sex and time of presentation.', '17 954 admissions were included. Mean IPLOS for the four categories of EDLOS were </= 4 hours, 3.73 days; 4-8 hours, 5.65 days; 8-12 hours, 6.60 days; > 12 hours, 7.20 days (P < 0.001). The corresponding excess IPLOS were 0.39, 1.30, 1.96 and 2.35 days (P < 0.001). Compared with EDLOS 4-8 hours, odds ratios (95% CIs) for excess IPLOS associated with the other three categories of EDLOS were </= 4 hour, 0.68 (0.63-0.74); 8-12 hours, 1.20 (1.10-1.30); and > 12 hours, 1.49 (1.36-1.63), after adjusting for elderly status, sex and time of ED presentation.'] Does emergency department length of stay independently predict excess inpatient length of stay?