The impact of COVID-19 epidemic on emergency department visits of older patients in Taiwan

Background: The number of emergency department (ED) visits has significantly declined since the COVID-19 pandemic. In Taiwan, an aging society, it is unknown whether older adults are accessing emergency care during the COVID-19 epidemic. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the impact of COVID-19 on the ED visits and triage, admission, and intensive care unit (ICU) hospitalization of the geriatric population in a COVID-19-dedicated medical center throughout various periods of the epidemic. Methods A retrospective chart review of ED medical records from April 9 to August 31, 2021 were conducted, and demographic information was obtained from the hospital’s computer database. The period was divided into pre-, early-, peak-, late-, and post-epidemic stages. For statistical analysis, one-way analysis of variance followed by multiple comparison tests (Scheffe’s test) were used. Results A statistically significant decrease in the total number of patients attending the ED was noted during the peak-, late-, and post-epidemic stages. In the post- and pre-epidemic stage, the number of older patients visiting ED was consistent, indicating their earlier visit to ED than the general population. Regarding ICU admission, the total number of patients in late-epidemic stage was smaller than that in pre-epidemic stage; however, the number of older patients was steady, regardless of hospital or ICU admission. Conclusions During the peak of COVID-19 outbreak, the number of ED visits was significantly affected. However, it is noteworthy that as the epidemic was gradually controlled, the older patients resumed their ED visits earlier that the general population as indicated by the surge in their number. Additionally, in the patient group of triage 1 or 2, which represents a true emergency, the number did not show a drastic change.