Efficacy of a four-tier infection response system in the emergency department during the coronavirus disease-2019 outbreak

• DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0256116
• Publication Date: 2021-08-12T19:02:53Z
• Authors: Arom Choi; Ha Yan Kim; Ara Cho; Jiyoung Noh; Incheol Park; Hyun Soo Chung
• Keywords: Isolation; Stroke

Introduction The coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic has delayed the management of other serious medical conditions. This study presents an efficient method to prevent degradation quality diagnosis and treatment critical diseases during pandemic. Methods We performed a retrospective observational study. primary outcome was ED length stay (ED LOS). secondary outcomes were door-to-balloon time in patients with suspected ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction door-to-brain computed tomography for stroke. measures compared between who treated red orange zones designated as changeable isolation unit those non-isolation care unit. To control confounding factors, we propensity score matching, following which, analyzed non-inferiority. Results mean LOS hospitalized units 406.5 min (standard deviation [SD], 237.9) 360.2 (SD, 226.4), respectively. difference groups indicated non-inferiority (p = 0.037) but not discharged from (p>0.999). admitted ICU -22.0 0.009). stroke 7.4 confirmed 0.013), -20.1 0.012). underwent coronary angiography -2.1 (p<0.001). Conclusions Appropriate handling properly planned plays key role improving COVID-19 outbreak.