Differences in Characteristics and Length of Stay of Elderly Emergency Patients before and after the Outbreak of COVID-19

Wang-Chuan Juang, Sonia Ming-Jiu Chiou, Hsien-Chih Chen and Ying-Chun Li ()
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Wang-Chuan Juang: Quality Management Center, Kaohsiung Veterans General Hospital, Kaohsiung 813414, Taiwan
Sonia Ming-Jiu Chiou: Department of Business Management, National Sun Yat-sen University, Kaohsiung 804201, Taiwan
Hsien-Chih Chen: Department of Business Management, National Sun Yat-sen University, Kaohsiung 804201, Taiwan
Ying-Chun Li: Institute of Health Care Management, National Sun Yat-sen University, Kaohsiung 804201, Taiwan

IJERPH, 2023, vol. 20, issue 2, 1-10

Abstract: (1) Background: COVID-19 has spread worldwide and affected Taiwan’s medical system and people’s lives. This study aimed to explore the impact of medical utilization on the characteristics and length of stay (LOS) of elderly emergency department (ED) patients before and after COVID-19; (2) Methods: We gathered ED visits from January to September 2019 (pre-pandemic group) and from January to September 2020 (pandemic group). The data analysis methods included descriptive statistics, the Pearson’s chi-square test, the independent sample t -test, and binary logistic regression; (3) Results: In 2020, during COVID-19, a significant decrease in ED monthly visits occurred from January; the maximum decrease was 32% in March. The average LOS during COVID-19 was shortened, with a significant reduction in diagnoses compared with the pre-pandemic period; (4) Conclusions: The threat of COVID-19 has changed the elderly’s behavior in ED visits and shortened the LOS of ED. The study’s results emphasize the importance of analyzing the medical utilization of elderly ED patients and understanding the medical quality of healthcare institutions. With Taiwan’s rapidly aging society, the demand for healthcare increases from time to time. The overcrowding of medical attention is often a problem. The results recommend that the overcrowding problem has the opportunity to be solved.

Keywords: COVID-19; elderly; emergency care; length of stay (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2023
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