scholarly journals First and Second Wave Dynamics of Emergency Department Utilization During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Retrospective Study

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Robi Dijk ◽  
Patricia Plaum ◽  
Stan Tummers ◽  
Frits H. M. van Osch ◽  
Dennis G. Barten ◽  
...  
2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Robi Dijk ◽  
Patricia Plaum ◽  
Stan Tummers ◽  
Frits van Osch ◽  
Dennis Barten ◽  
...  

Background: Since the COVID-19 pandemic, there has been a decrease in emergency department(ED) utilization. Although this has been thoroughly characterized for the first wave(FW), studies during the second wave(SW) are limited. We examined the changes in ED utilization between the FW and SW, compared to 2019 reference periods. Methods: We performed a retrospective analysis of ED utilization in 3 Dutch hospitals in 2020. The FW and SW (March until June and September until December, respectively) were compared to the reference periods in 2019. ED visits were labeled as (non)COVID suspected. Findings: During the FW and SW ED visits decreased by 20.3% and 15.3%, respectively, when compared to reference periods in 2019. During both waves high urgency visits significantly increased with 3.1% and 2.1%, and admission rates (ARs) increased with 5.0% and 10.4%. Trauma related visits decreased by 5.2% and 3.4%. During the SW we observed less COVID-related visits compared to the FW (4,407 vs 3,102 patients). COVID related visits were significantly more often in higher need of urgent care and ARs where at least 24.0% higher compared to non COVID visits. Interpretation: During both COVID-19 waves ED visits were significantly reduced, with the most distinct decline during the FW. ED patients were more often triaged as high urgent and the ARs were increased compared to the reference period in 2019, reflecting a high burden on ED resources. These findings indicate the need to gain more insight into motives of patients to delay or avoid emergency care during pandemics and prepare EDs for future pandemics.


Blood ◽  
2009 ◽  
Vol 114 (22) ◽  
pp. 1530-1530
Author(s):  
Ted Wun ◽  
Ann Brunson ◽  
Monica Brown

Abstract Abstract 1530 Poster Board I-553 INTRODUCTION The Cooperative Study of Sickle Cell Disease (CSSCD) was a landmark prospective observational study that helped to define the natural history of sickle cell disease. Although this study provided (and is still yielding) a wealth of robust data, there are still gaps in knowledge on long term complications, especially in adults. In addition, the CSSCD was conducted by investigators at specialized centers, and it is possible findings might be different in a population based cohort. Therefore, we wished to use available administrative datasets to study Californians with sickle cell disease (SCD) and create a California Sickle Cell Database (CSCD). METHODS We conducted a retrospective study with which to determine complications and health care utilization amongst patients with sickle cell disease. The California Office of Statewide Health Planning and Development (OSHPD) Hospital Discharge Dataset (HDD) collects data on all hospital discharges in California (exclusive of federal facilities) since 1991. Since 2005, all non-federal emergency department (ED) visits have also been reported to the Emergency Department Utilization (EDU) system of OSHPD. Data elements include basic demographics and diagnoses. Patients can be tracked using social security numbers; therefore, longitudinal data on individual patient hospitalizations and ED utilization can be generated. The ICD-9 codes used were 282.6X. RESULTS There were 11,351 individual SCD patients identified in the OSHPD HDD (1991-2007) and EDU (2005-2007) data systems. Analysis to date has yielded some basic demographic data on utilization. Females comprised 59.3% of the cohort. As anticipated most patients (81.9%) were non-Hispanic Black. However, 7.9% were reported as non-Hispanic White and 6% as Hispanic. The majority was less than 60 years of age; however, 744 were between 60-69 years and 406 were 70-79 years of age. There were 124,455 admissions of patients with SCD from 1991 to 2007 (mean ± SD =7321 ± 473 per year). 2135 ± 168 patients per year accounted for these hospitalizations with mean hospitalizations per patient of 3.4 with SD's from 3.6 to 4.6. In the three years 2005-2007 inclusive a mean of 1,871 ± 127 patients a year utilized the ED. The mean number of ED encounters per year per patient was 5 with SD's of 13 to 22. CONCLUSIONS Limitations include those inherent with any retrospective study dependent on administrative data, including inaccurate coding. In addition, true prevalence could be underestimated due to the acquisition bias of the requirement for hospitalization and/or ED utilization to be counted. Longitudinal data may be affected by migration to other states. Nonetheless, the large number of identified cases in the CSCD will allow determination of rates for many complications of interest that commonly require hospitalization and/or ED utilization, and provide important information on the individual and societal burden of disease. Disclosures No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.


2021 ◽  
Vol Volume 14 ◽  
pp. 229-237
Author(s):  
Paul Y Takahashi ◽  
Euijung Ryu ◽  
Suzette J Bielinski ◽  
Matthew Hathcock ◽  
Gregory D Jenkins ◽  
...  

2021 ◽  
Vol 265 ◽  
pp. 187-194
Author(s):  
Sharmistha Dev ◽  
Andrew A. Gonzalez ◽  
Amir A. Ghaferi ◽  
Brahmajee K. Nallamothu ◽  
Keith E. Kocher

2021 ◽  
pp. 1357633X2110248
Author(s):  
Charlie M Wray ◽  
Myla Junge ◽  
Salomeh Keyhani ◽  
Janeen E Smith

The use of emergency departments for non-emergent issues has led to overcrowding and decreased the quality of care. Telemedicine may be a mechanism to decrease overutilization of this expensive resource. From April to September 2020, we assessed (a) the impact of a multi-center tele-urgent care program on emergency department referral rates and (b) the proportion of individuals who had a subsequent emergency department visit within 72 h of tele-urgent care evaluation when they were not referred to the emergency department. We then performed a chart review to assess whether patients presented to the emergency department for the same reason as was stated for their tele-urgent care evaluation, whether subsequent hospitalization was needed during that emergency department visit, and whether death occurred. Among the 2510 patients who would have been referred to in-person emergency department care, but instead received tele-urgent care assessment, one in five (21%; n = 533) were subsequently referred to the emergency department. Among those not referred following tele-urgent care, 1 in 10 (11%; n = 162) visited the emergency department within 72 h. Among these 162 individuals, most (91%) returned with the same or similar complaint as what was assessed during their tele-urgent care visit, with one in five requiring hospitalization (19%, n = 31) with one individual (0.01%) dying. In conclusion, tele-urgent care may safely decrease emergency department utilization.


Author(s):  
Arjun K. Venkatesh ◽  
Alexander T. Janke ◽  
Li Shu-Xia ◽  
Craig Rothenberg ◽  
Pawan Goyal ◽  
...  

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