In:
Annals of the Academy of Medicine, Singapore, Academy of Medicine, Singapore, Vol. 50, No. 2 ( 2021-2-28), p. 126-134
Abstract:
Introduction: We evaluated the impact of public health measures on paediatric emergency
department attendances during the COVID-19 and severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) outbreaks in Singapore.
Methods: Between 1 January 2020 and 31 July 2020, we retrospectively reviewed paediatric emergency department attendances and admissions in a tertiary paediatric hospital in Singapore
before and after a national lockdown to combat the spread of COVID-19 in Singapore. Hospital attendances and admissions were compared with data from a corresponding period in 2019 (1 January 2019
to 31 July 2019), as well as during and after the SARS outbreak (1 January 2003 to 31 December 2004). Results: Compared with a corresponding non-outbreak period, emergency department attendances
decreased in line with nationwide public health measures during the COVID-19 and SARS outbreaks (2020 and 2003 respectively), before increasing gradually following lifting of restrictions, albeit not
to recorded levels before these outbreaks. During the COVID-19 outbreak, mean daily attendances decreased by 40%, from 458 per day in January–July 2019, to 274 per day in January–July 2020. The
absolute number of hospital inpatient admissions decreased by 37% from January–July 2019 (19,629) to January–July 2020 (12,304). The proportion of emergency department attendances requiring admission
remained similar: 20% in January–July 2019 and 21% in January–July 2020. Conclusion: Nationwide public health measures in Singapore have had an impact on paediatric
emergency department attendances and hospital inpatient admissions. Data from this study could inform planning and resource allocation for emergency departments in Singapore and internationally.
Keywords: COVID-19, paediatric emergency department, public health measures, SARS
Type of Medium:
Online Resource
ISSN:
0304-4602
DOI:
10.47102/annals-acadmedsg.
DOI:
10.47102/annals-acadmedsg.2020500
Language:
English
Publisher:
Academy of Medicine, Singapore
Publication Date:
2021
detail.hit.zdb_id:
2186627-2
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