How has Covid-19 pandemic affected crowded emergency services?

Area of Science:

• Emergency Medicine
• Public Health
• Infectious Disease Epidemiology

Background:

• The COVID-19 pandemic necessitated unprecedented public health measures, including lockdowns and social distancing.
• These measures significantly impacted healthcare-seeking behaviors and emergency service utilization patterns.
• Understanding these shifts is crucial for managing healthcare resources and patient outcomes during pandemics.

Purpose of the Study:

• To analyze demographic changes in emergency service admissions during the COVID-19 pandemic.
• To evaluate the impact of pandemic-related measures on patient volumes and case types in emergency departments.
• To identify areas for improvement in emergency service management during public health crises.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective analysis of patient data from Batman District State Hospital Emergency Service.
• Comparison of two periods: March 28-April 28, 2019 (pre-pandemic) and March 28-April 28, 2020 (pandemic).
• Analysis of demographic features, clinical admission types, and patient disposition.

Main Results:

• Emergency service admissions decreased by over 80% during the pandemic period (9455 vs 47,681).
• Significant reductions were observed in non-urgent cases (green zone), trauma, acute coronary syndromes, and acute cerebrovascular diseases.
• An increase in admissions for dyspnea was noted during the pandemic (5.4% vs 1.21%).

Conclusions:

• Pandemic-related measures led to a substantial decrease in emergency service utilization.
• Concerns exist regarding potential increases in home-based mortality and delayed treatment for critical conditions.
• Public awareness campaigns are vital to encourage timely medical attention for non-COVID-19 emergencies during health crises.