Emergency department presentations during the COVID‐19 pandemic in Queensland (to June 2021): interrupted time series analysis

• DOI: 10.5694/mja2.51819
• Publication Date: 2022-12-26T08:15:54Z
• Authors: Amy L Sweeny; Gerben Keijzers; Andrea Marshall; Emma J Hall; Jamie Ranse; Ping Zhang; Gary Grant; Ya‐Ling Huang; Dinesh Palipana; Yang D Teng; Benjamin Gerhardy; Jaimi H Greenslade; Philip Jones; Julia L Crilly
• Keywords: Pandemic; Triage

Objectives To assess emergency department (ED) presentation numbers in Queensland during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic to mid-2021, a period of relatively low COVID-19 case numbers. Design Interrupted time series analysis. Setting All 105 public hospital EDs. Main outcome measures Numbers ED presentations lockdown (11 March 2020 – 30 June 2020) and easing restrictions (1 July 2021), compared with pre-pandemic January 2018 10 2020), overall (daily numbers) by Australasian Triage Scale (ATS; daily selected diagnostic categories (cardiac, respiratory, mental health, injury-related conditions) conditions (stroke, sepsis) (weekly numbers). Results During period, mean number was 19.4% lower (95% confidence interval, –20.9% –17.9%) than (predicted number: 5935; actual 4786 presentations). The magnitudes decline return predicted levels varied ATS category group; changes were least marked for 1 2 (most urgent) presentations, cardiac or stroke. remained below 12-month post-lockdown 5 (least health problems, respiratory conditions, sepsis. Conclusions related associated profound care use. Pandemic plans should include advice about continuing seek serious emergencies, support alternative sources less urgent needs.