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KMID : 0191120210360010011
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Journal of Korean Medical Science
2021 Volume.36 No. 1 p.11 ~ p.11
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Pediatric Emergency Department Utilization and Coronavirus Disease in Daegu, Korea
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Jang Kyung-Mi
Ahn Ji-Young
Choi Hee-Joung
Lee Suk-Hee
Kim Dong-Sub
Lee Dong-Won
Choe Jae-Young
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Abstract
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Background: Limited data exist on children's utilization of the emergency department (ED) in the ongoing coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Thus, we aimed to examine ED utilization among pediatric patients and the impact of COVID-19 in one large city affected by the outbreak.
Methods: This retrospective study included data from six EDs in Daegu, Korea. We compared the demographic and clinical data of patients presenting to the ED during the COVID-19 pandemic (February 1st?June 30th 2020) with those of patients who visited the ED in this period during 2018 and 2019.
Results: Fewer patients, particularly children visited the EDs during the study period in 2020 than those in the previous (2018/2019) year period: the number of adult patient decreased by 46.4% and children by 76.9%. Although the number of patients increased from the lowest point of the decrease in March 2020, the number of pediatric patients visiting the ED remained less than half (45.2%) in June 2020 compared with that of previous years. The proportion of patients with severe conditions increased in adults, infants, and school-aged children, and consequently resulted in increased ambulance use and higher hospitalization rates. Fewer infants and young children but more school-aged children visited the ED with febrile illnesses in 2020 than in 2018/2019.
Conclusion: The COVID-19 pandemic has led to a substantial decrease in pediatric ED utilization. These findings can help reallocate human and material resources in the EDs during infectious disease outbreaks.
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KEYWORD
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COVID-19, Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2, Children, Emergency Department
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