Impact of Middle East respiratory syndrome outbreak on the use of emergency medical resources in febrile patients.
- Author:
Hyunho JEONG
1
;
Sikyoung JEONG
;
Juseok OH
;
Seon Hee WOO
;
Byung Hak SO
;
Jeong Hee WEE
;
Ji Hoon KIM
;
Ji Yong IM
;
Seung Pill CHOI
;
Kyoungnam PARK
;
Byul Nim Hee CHO
;
Sungyoup HONG
Author Information
- Publication Type:Original Article
- Keywords: Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus; Emergency medical services; Fever
- MeSH: Body Temperature; Child; Coronavirus Infections*; Disease Outbreaks; Emergencies*; Emergency Medical Services; Emergency Service, Hospital; Fever; Humans; Information Systems; Korea; Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus; Middle East*; Overall
- From: Clinical and Experimental Emergency Medicine 2017;4(2):94-101
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:English
- Abstract: OBJECTIVE: Outbreaks of transmissible respiratory infection are suspected to have significant effects on the health of pediatric and geriatric patients. The objective was to assess the impact of the Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS) outbreak on the use of emergency resources. METHODS: An ecologic analysis of emergency department (ED) records between September and December 2015, was performed. Data was obtained from the National Emergency Department Information System database for Korea. All demographic and diagnostic data from patients presenting with febrile symptoms as a main complaint were collected. The data were compared to the equivalent period in the three years preceding the MERS outbreak in Korea. RESULTS: Following the MERS outbreak, there was an increase in overall ED visits by febrile patients and the proportion of visits by febrile patients, relative to total ED attendances. This effect was more prominent in the children under five years. The duration of the chief complaint before ED arrival and the length of ED stay were significantly increased among younger pediatric patients. Decreased body temperature on arrival was observed in younger pediatric patients. CONCLUSION: MERS outbreak appears to have had a significant effects on ED use by febrile patients. The use of emergency care services by pediatric patients makes them more vulnerable to an outbreak of a transmissable disease. An effective strategy to control emergency center visits by non-urgent febrile patients and provide proper medical services is urgently needed.
