How did the COVID-19 Pandemic Affect Inappropriate Adult Emergency Department Attendances?: A Prospective Cross-Sectional Study
Journal Title: The Medical Bulletin of Haseki - Year 2021, Vol 59, Issue 2
Abstract
Aim: During the coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, the strict limitations imposed on access to many healthcare institutions may effect emergency department (ED) attendances with regards to appropriateness. Thus, this study aimed to investigate the urgency level of ED attendances and the frequency of inappropriate use (IU) during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: A prospective cross-sectional study was conducted in the university hospital ED during one week (May 11-17, 2020) of the post-peak period of the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic. All adult (≥18 years) ED attendances were evaluated by emergency residents in terms of clinical and demographic characteristics and appropriateness. The data were recorded on data collection forms. Results: IU rate detected was 45.1%. In the study, 3.9% and 9.5% of attendances were in Emergency Severity Index categories 1 and 2, respectively. A significant negative correlation was found between age and IU (odds ratio=0.978; 95% confidence interval: 0.96- 0.99). According to the binary logistic regression analysis, it is most likely that IUs are young people who are employed and have no chronic disease. Conclusion: This study showed that the frequency of IU decreased while the urgency level of the ED attendances increased in the post-peak period of the pandemic compared to a previous study conducted outside of the pandemic, in the same center. There was an inverse relationship between IU frequency and age. The results will help with planning ED services in future pandemic periods.
Authors and Affiliations
Perihan Simsek, Engin Ilhan, Ozlem Bulbul, Esra Ucuncu, Murat Topbas, Abdulkadir Gunduz
Keywords
Related Articles
- EP ID EP693392
- DOI 10.4274/haseki.galenos.2021.6601
- Views 100
- Downloads 0
Stimulus Threshold for Providing Intraoperative Motor Evoked Potential
Aim: Intraoperative neurophysiological monitoring (IOM) has been increasingly used in surgeries associated with a risk of neurological impairment. Motor evoked potential (MEP), which is a part of intraoperative neurophys...
Is Complement Factor H Tyr402His Variant a Potential Cause of Ankylosing Spondylitis?
Aim: Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) is an autoimmune disease caused by chronic inflammatory response. Complement system is the major component of the innate immune defence. In this study, we investigated the potential assoc...
A Different Obturator Nerve Block Approach Using Nerve Stimulation Device Under Fluoroscopy Guidance in the Transurethral Resection of Lateral Bladder Wall Tumors
Aim: This study aims to define the efficacy and safety of a different obturator nerve block technique using fluoroscopy and nerve stimulation device during transurethral resection of bladder tumor (TUR-BT). Methods: Six...
Effect of Renal Vein Variations on Apparent Diffusion Coefficient in Asymptomatic Patients
Aim: The aim of this study was to investigate whether renal vein variations had an effect on apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) values in diffusion magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Methods: Images of 958 patients who...
The Diagnostic Value of Ischemia-modified Albumin in Prostate Cancer
Aim: The aim of this study was to investigate whether serum ischemia-modified albumin (IMA) levels have a diagnostic value in prostate cancer (Pca). Methods: Thirty primary Pca patients and 30 age-matched healthy male s...