Reduced Hospital Admission, Emergency Department Visit, and Urgent Surgeries and its Correlation with Non-COVID-19 Mortality

Background: The reduction of hospital admissions, emergency visits, and urgent surgeries during the COVID-19 pandemic were reported in various countries. The present study aimed to evaluate these changes in Iran. Methods: A retrospective study of regional secondary utilization and mortality data from multiple official sources was performed. The data were collected from hospitals located in the center of Iran (Yazd) between March 1st, 2020 (before COVID-19) and February 30th, 2021 (after COVID-19). The data were analyzed using Microsoft Excel® and SPSS24 The Mann-Whitney test was utilized to compare the variables’ changes before and after COVID-19 pandemic. Spearman's correlation coefficient was used to evaluate the connection between non-COVID-19 mortality and the quantity of urgent surgeries conducted in hospitals. Results: The percentage changes in hospital admissions, emergency department visits, and urgent surgeries following COVID-19 were 33.7%, 39%, and 23%, respectively. The correlation between the number of urgent surgeries and the non-COVID-19 mortality during the pandemic was negative(r=-0.9). Conclusions: Our results provide empirical support for concerns about the widespread public health impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. The development of novel technologies including telemedicine, consultations and online visits, as well as the use of remote monitoring technology could lead to improved access to health care during a pandemic, particularly for vulnerable populations.