The impact of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) on economic and medical systems is significant, especially in the emergency department (ED). The patterns of ED visits have also changed significantly and may play a crucial role in rearranging medical resources to the most needed departments during the pandemic. This was a retrospective study conducted in hospitals of the Cathay Health System. All patients presented to the EDs between January 21, 2020 to April 30, 2020 (pandemic stage) and January 21, 2019 to April 30, 2019 (before the pandemic stage). Basic demographics, including visit characteristics, disposition, and chief complaints, of the patients visiting the ED between these 2 periods of time will be compared and analyzed. A total of 71,739 patients were included in the study. A reduction in ED visits was noted in 15.1% (32,950 ED visits) during the pandemic stage. ED visiting patients with the chief complaints of upper respiratory infection and social problems increased by 14.23% and 1.86%, respectively, during the pandemic period. Critical chief complaints such as cardiac arrest, chest pain and altered mental status decreased to less than the ED visits difference (−15.1%) between the pandemic and prepandemic stages, for 0%, −7.67%, and −13.8% respectively. Rearrangement of the ED pediatric staff to the COVID-19 special units and recruiting more social workers to the ED should be performed to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Background The outbreak of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has caused a catastrophic event worldwide. Since then, people’s way of living has changed in terms of personal behavior, social interaction, and medical-seeking behavior, including change of the emergency department (ED) visiting patterns. The objective of this study was to analyze the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the ED visiting patterns of the older people to explore its variable expression with the intention of ameliorating an effective and suitable response to public health emergencies. Methods This was a retrospective study conducted in three hospitals of the Cathay Health System in Taiwan. Patients aged ≥ 65 years who presented to the ED between January 21, 2020, and April 30, 2020 (pandemic stage), and between January 21, 2019, and April 30, 2019 (pre-pandemic stage) were enrolled in the study. Basic demographics, including visit characteristics, disposition, and chief complaints of the patients visiting the ED between these two periods of time, were compared and analyzed. Results A total of 16,655 older people were included in this study. A 20.91% reduction in ED older adult patient visits was noted during the pandemic period. During the pandemic, there was a decrease in ambulance use among elderly patients visiting the ED, with the proportion decreasing from 16.90 to 16.58%. Chief complaints of fever, upper respiratory infections, psychological and social problems increased, with incidence risk ratios (IRRs) of 1.12, 1.23, 1.25, and 5.2, respectively. Meanwhile, the incidence of both non-life-threatening and life-threatening complaints decreased, with IRRs of 0.72 and 0.83, respectively. Conclusion Health education regarding life-threatening symptom signs among older adult patients and avocation of the proper timing to seek medical attention via ambulance were crucial issues during the pandemic.

Background The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has profoundly impacted healthcare systems worldwide. To assess the effects of the pandemic on pediatric emergency department (ED) visits in Taiwan, we conducted a study to evaluate changes in pediatric ED visits during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods This retrospective study included pediatric patients (age ≤ 18) who visited the ED between January 21, 2019, and April 30, 2019, at three hospitals of the Cathay Health System, and compared them with a corresponding period in 2020. Basic information, including mode of arrival, triage level, disposition, chief complaints, and incidence rates, were analyzed before and during the pandemic. Results A total of 10,116 patients (6,009 in the pre-pandemic and 4,107 in the pandemic group) were included in this study. There was a 31.65% reduction in ED visits during the pandemic, but ambulance use increased by 5.97%. COVID-19-related complaints (fever, respiratory tract infection, gastrointestinal complaints) decreased during the pandemic. However, we observed an increased incidence rate ratio (IRR) for shortness of breath (IRR = 1.26), glycemic problems (IRR = 5.4), and psychological problems (IRR = 4.6). Critical complaints, including cardiac arrest (IRR = 5) and altered mental status (IRR = 3.08), also increased during the pandemic. Conclusion This study suggests that reallocating hospital staff to appropriate units, developing effective epidemic response strategies, and improving prehospital emergency medical capabilities can enhance the preparedness of the healthcare system for future pandemics and ensure a more efficient management of emergency cases.