| The Association of Meteorological and Day-of-the-week Factors with Patient Visits to Emergency Centers |
| Jang Young Lee, Jin Hong Min, Jung Soo Park, Sung Pil Chung, Jun Seok Park, Si Kyung Jung, Young Mo Yang |
1Department of Emergency Medicine, College of Medicine, Chungnam National University, Korea. emstar@naver.com
2Department of Emergency Medicine, College of Medicine, Konyang University, Korea.
3Department of Emergency Medicine, College of Medicine, Catholic University, Korea.
4Department of Emergency Medicine, College of Medicine, Eulji Medical School, Daejon, Korea. |
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| ABSTRACT |
PURPOSE:
The aim of this study was to determine the relationships between weather and calendar variables and the admission volume at the emergency center in Daejon city.
PATIENTS AND
METHODS:
Daily patient volume from January to November 2003 was matched with calendar and weather variables. Calendar variables included season, day of the week, holidays, and the day after a holiday. Weather variables included daily maximum, minimum, and average temperatures and other factors such as snowfall and rainfall.
RESULTS:
The average daily admission volume was 282 +/- 54 persons (187~605), and the most highly significant calendar and weather variables related with admission volume were holidays and maximal temperature, respectively. A regression model was calculated as follows: the daily patient volume = 214 + 2 x (maximal temperature) + 113 x (holiday) + 26.8 x (day after a holiday). This equation could estimate about 62.6% of the daily patient volumes.
CONCLUSION:
This study suggests that the temperature and a holiday may influence the number of visiting patients. Thus, the staffing level should be set appropriately by considering the estimated patient volume. |
| Key words:
Meteorological factors, Holidays, Patient admission |
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