Did the COVID-19 Pandemic Restrict Access to Emergency Urological Services: Assessment of Reorganisation Effectiveness for Hospital Treatment

Krystian Kaczmarek (), Jakub Kalembkiewicz, Marta Jankowska, Karolina Kalembkiewicz, Jakub Narożnicki, Artur Lemiński and Marcin Słojewski
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Krystian Kaczmarek: Department of Urology and Urological Oncology, Pomeranian Medical University, Powstańców Wielkopolskich 72, 70-111 Szczecin, Poland
Jakub Kalembkiewicz: Department of Urology and Urological Oncology, Pomeranian Medical University, Powstańców Wielkopolskich 72, 70-111 Szczecin, Poland
Marta Jankowska: Department of Urology and Urological Oncology, Pomeranian Medical University, Powstańców Wielkopolskich 72, 70-111 Szczecin, Poland
Karolina Kalembkiewicz: Department of Urology and Urological Oncology, Pomeranian Medical University, Powstańców Wielkopolskich 72, 70-111 Szczecin, Poland
Jakub Narożnicki: Department of Urology and Urological Oncology, Pomeranian Medical University, Powstańców Wielkopolskich 72, 70-111 Szczecin, Poland
Artur Lemiński: Department of Urology and Urological Oncology, Pomeranian Medical University, Powstańców Wielkopolskich 72, 70-111 Szczecin, Poland
Marcin Słojewski: Department of Urology and Urological Oncology, Pomeranian Medical University, Powstańców Wielkopolskich 72, 70-111 Szczecin, Poland

IJERPH, 2023, vol. 20, issue 4, 1-8

Abstract: Urolithiasis derived renal colic is a common urological condition. If treated properly, the disease resolves without complications; if not treated, it causes infection and renal failure. The COVID-19 restrictions impacted hospitalised treatment of diseases. We analysed the impact of COVID-19 on renal colic treatment at a hospital in Poland. Clinical and demographic data of patients treated during the COVID-19 era were compared with those treated before this pandemic. During the COVID-19 restrictions, renal colic patient hospital admissions fell significantly. However, more patients presented with chronic renal colic symptoms and urinary tract infections. Nevertheless, the degree of hydronephrosis and the number and location of stones did not differ between the two groups. No marked changes were observed in the chosen treatment options. The observed decrease in emergency admissions of patients with acute renal colic with a simultaneous increase in the rate of infectious stones might indicate that some patients requiring urgent medical help did not report to the emergency department or came later than they would before the pandemic, reporting more serious symptoms. One plausible explanation for this may be that the reorganisation of the healthcare system restricted access to urological care. Moreover, some patients may have delayed their visit to the hospital due to the fear of contracting the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus.

Keywords: COVID-19; pandemic; urolithiasis; urinary stone disease; urological care (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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