Abstract
Background: The outbreak of the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has caused many significant social and economic changes. The consecutive waves of the epidemic in various countries have had dissimilar courses depending on the methods used to combat it. The aim of this study was to determine the dynamics of the third wave of COVID-19 from the perspective of emergency departments (ED). Methods: This was a retrospective review of medical records from ED. The authors have identified the most frequent symptoms. Prognostic factors have been chosen—prognostic scales, length of stay (LOS)—and a number of resources required have been calculated. Results: As the time passed, there were fewer patients and they presented mild symptoms. A statistically significant difference was observed in the median of blood oxygenation measurement (p = 0.00009), CRP level (p = 0.0016), and admission rate. Patients admitted to the hospital required more resources at ED. LOS was shorter in patients discharged home (p < 0.0001). Conclusions: The blood oxygen saturation (SPO2) and CPR levels can be helpful in decision-making regarding medical treatment. The fast-track for patients in good clinical condition may shorten the duration of stay in ED, and reduce the number of required resources.
Highlights
The rapid spread of coronavirus was noticed in December 2019 in China
A total number of 862 patients diagnosed with COVID-19 were admitted to our department
There was a group of 75 patients admitted directly to the department of COVID-19 treatment, whose presence in the emergency departments (ED) was caused only by the need to register in the hospital information system
Summary
The rapid spread of coronavirus was noticed in December 2019 in China. The disease mainly causes acute aspiratory failure. Diagnostics and therapies of varying degrees of complexity are performed This makes the work in an ED a major organizational challenge; it requires the appropriate allocation of human and material resources. In this COVID-19 era, frontline medical staff in ED are facing even more new challenges to diagnose and treat patients. With the presence of well-known overcrowding problems and limited resources, forecasting patient influx for ED care is a key solution to maintaining fluent work conditions This overcrowding is manifested mainly by a prolonged waiting time and length of stay [6,7]. The fast-track for patients in good clinical condition may shorten the duration of stay in ED, and reduce the number of required resources
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