Impact of severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) outbreaks on the use of emergency department medical resources

Chien Cheng Huang, David Hung Tsang Yen, Hsien Hao Huang, Wei Fong Kao, Lee Min Wang, Chun I. Huang, Chen Hsen Lee

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

46 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Background: The impact of the severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) outbreak in 2003 on the emergency department (ED) medical needs of adult patients has not been elucidated. The purpose of this study was to investigate the demographic and clinical characteristics of ED adult patients before, during and after the SARS epidemic in a SARS-dedicated hospital. Methods: A retrospective, ED chart review was conducted, and demographic data were obtained from a computer database, for a total of 17,586 patients. Patient information, including age, gender, mode of arrival, triage category, time of visit, main diagnosis, use of ED services, and status after the ED visit, were collected and compared for pre-, early-, peak-, late-, and post-SARS epidemic stages. Results: Demographic data demonstrated a significant decrease in patient attendances per day, with a mean reduction of 92.5 ± 8.3 patients (43.7 ± 3.9% reduction in rate; p < 0.01) during peak- versus pre-epidemic stages, but revealed no differences in patient age and gender. The numbers of patients with ambulance transport, inter-hospital referral, and critical illnesses, including DOA, categorized as triage 1, or admitted to a ward or intensive care unit after the ED visit, were not influenced by the SARS epidemic. The number of patients with upper airway infections and suicide attempts from drug overdoses increased, but not statistically significantly. The number of patients with other diagnoses decreased progressively from early- to peak-epidemic stages, but returned to their earlier levels at the post-epidemic stage. Statistically significant decreases (p < 0.05) were noted in mean attendance at peak-versus pre- and early-epidemic stages for patients with cardiovascular disease, inflammatory or functional bowel disease, endocrine disease, dizziness or vertigo, or trauma. Conclusion: The SARS outbreak did not eliminate the need of critically ill patients for advanced medical support. However, besides an overall decrease in patient numbers, the SARS epidemic markedly altered demographic information, clinical characteristics, and the use of medical services by adult patients in the ED of a SARS-dedicated hospital.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)254-259
Number of pages6
JournalJournal of the Chinese Medical Association
Volume68
Issue number6
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Jun 2005

Keywords

  • Demography
  • Diagnosis
  • Emergency department
  • Severe acute respiratory syndrome

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Medicine(all)

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