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Emergency Department Management of COVID-19 Suspected Patients. An International Perspective
Chady El Tawil1, Mahmoud El Hussein2, Nagi Souaiby1
1Notre Dame Maritime Hospital, Byblos, Lebanon.
Insights
Healthcare workers globally adapted emergency departments to the COVID-19 pandemic. Protocols changed, with increased personal protective equipment use and more patient discharges.
Area of Science:
- Emergency Medicine
- Infectious Diseases
- Public Health
Background:
- The COVID-19 pandemic, originating in December 2019, rapidly became a global health crisis.
- Emergency departments (EDs) are critical frontline settings facing unprecedented challenges during pandemics.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess how healthcare workers (HCW) in emergency departments managed the COVID-19 pandemic.
- To understand the global impact of the pandemic on ED operations and practices.
Main Methods:
- An international cross-sectional study was conducted.
- A questionnaire was distributed to 180 HCW globally in May-June 2020.
- Data from 134 HCW across 23 countries were analyzed.
Main Results:
- PCR testing availability was 72.9% in responding hospitals.
- Architectural strategies and visitor policies were implemented to isolate suspected COVID-19 cases.
- Triage predominantly relied on symptoms (82.8%), and 98% of HCW used comprehensive personal protective equipment (PPE).
- Approximately 65% of HCW reported discharging more patients than usual.
Conclusions:
- The COVID-19 pandemic significantly altered worldwide emergency department practices.
- Adaptations in EDs included enhanced infection control, modified patient flow, and changes in disposition strategies.
Abstract:
Objectives: In December 2019, an invasive viral outbreak, the Corona Virus Disease 19 spread to the whole world. An international cross-sectional study was conducted to evaluate how healthcare workers in Emergency departments dealt with this pandemic. Methods: A questionnaire was sent to 180 healthcare workers around the world during May and June of the year 2020. Results: A total of 134 HCW from 23 countries responded with a majority of Emergency physicians (36.8%). The PCR testing is available in 72.9% of the hospitals. Different architectural strategies were used to isolate suspected cases in the Emergency department (ED). Half of the institutions would not allow visitors, while the other half, restricted visiting hours and the number of visitors. Triage for suspected patients relied in 82.8% on symptoms. Almost 98% of HCW used a combination of mask, gloves, gown and face shield. Around 65% of the HCW have a tendency to discharge more patients from the ED than what they were used to. Conclusion: The COVID-19 pandemic made a major change within the emergency departments worldwide.
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