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Seasonal Variation in Emergency General Surgery
Bardiya Zangbar1, Peter Rhee, Viraj Pandit
1Division of Trauma, Department of Surgery, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ.
Annals of Surgery
|April 16, 2015
Summary
Emergency general surgery admissions show seasonal variation, with a significant increase observed during summer months. This pattern may aid in hospital resource planning and staffing adjustments.
Area of Science:
- General Surgery
- Epidemiology
- Health Services Research
Background:
- Seasonal variations in medical conditions are documented, but their influence on emergency general surgery (EGS) is not well understood.
- Understanding these patterns is crucial for optimizing healthcare delivery.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate and quantify the seasonal fluctuations in emergency general surgery admissions.
- To identify specific conditions contributing to observed seasonal trends.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of the National Inpatient Sample (NIS) database from 2004-2011.
- Inclusion of patients diagnosed with acute appendicitis, acute cholecystitis, and diverticulitis, excluding elective admissions.
- Statistical analysis, including X11 procedure and spectral analysis, to confirm seasonal variation.
Main Results:
- A total of over 63 million admission records were analyzed, identifying significant seasonal variation in EGS admissions (P < 0.0001).
- Specific conditions like acute appendicitis, acute cholecystitis, and diverticulitis demonstrated statistically significant seasonal patterns (P < 0.0001 for all).
- Emergency general surgery admissions were 13.6% higher in the summer compared to winter months.
Conclusions:
- Hospitalizations for EGS follow a distinct cyclical pattern, peaking in the summer.
- The identified seasonal variability in EGS admissions can inform hospital resource allocation and staffing strategies.
- Further research is needed to elucidate the underlying causes of this seasonal trend.
