Journal of Yeungnam Medical Science

Yeungnam University College of Medicine, Yeungnam University Institute Medical Science (영남대 의대 학술지 편집위원회)
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Impact of an emergency department resident strike during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic in Daegu, South Korea: a retrospective cross-sectional study

  • Cho, Yo Han (Department of Emergency Medicine, Kyungpook National University Hospital, School of Medicine, Kyungpook National University) ;
  • Cho, Jae Wan (Department of Emergency Medicine, Kyungpook National University Hospital, School of Medicine, Kyungpook National University) ;
  • Ryoo, Hyun Wook (Department of Emergency Medicine, Kyungpook National University Hospital, School of Medicine, Kyungpook National University) ;
  • Moon, Sungbae (Department of Emergency Medicine, Kyungpook National University Hospital, School of Medicine, Kyungpook National University) ;
  • Kim, Jung Ho (Department of Emergency Medicine, Yeungnam University College of Medicine) ;
  • Lee, Sang-Hun (Department of Emergency Medicine, Keimyung University Dongsan Medical Center) ;
  • Jang, Tae Chang (Department of Emergency Medicine, Daegu Catholic University School of Medicine) ;
  • Lee, Dong Eun (Department of Emergency Medicine, Kyungpook National University Chilgok Hospital)
  • Received : 2021.05.12
  • Accepted : 2021.07.09
  • Published : 2022.01.31
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Abstract

Background: To prepare for future work stoppages in the medical industry, this study aimed to identify the effects of healthcare worker strikes on the mortality rate of patients visiting the emergency department (ED) at six training hospitals in Daegu, South Korea. Methods: We used a retrospective, cross-sectional, multicenter design to analyze the medical records of patients who visited six training hospitals in Daegu (August 21-September 8, 2020). For comparison, control period 1 was set as the same period in the previous year (August 21-September 8, 2019) and control period 2 was set as July 1-19, 2020. Patient characteristics including age, sex, and time of ED visit were investigated along with mode of arrival, length of ED stay, and in-hospital mortality. The experimental and control groups were compared using t-tests, and Mann-Whitney U-test, chi-square test, and Fisher exact tests, as appropriate. Univariate logistic regression was performed to identify significant factors, followed by multivariate logistic regression analysis. Results: During the study period, 31,357 patients visited the ED, of which 7,749 belonged to the experimental group. Control periods 1 and 2 included 13,100 and 10,243 patients, respectively. No significant in-hospital mortality differences were found between strike periods; however, the results showed statistically significant differences in the length of ED stay. Conclusion: The ED resident strike did not influence the mortality rate of patients who visited the EDs of six training hospitals in Daegu. Furthermore, the number of patients admitted and the length of ED stay decreased during the strike period.

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References

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