DOI QR코드

DOI QR Code

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

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.

Keywords

References

  1. Cunningham SA, Mitchell K, Narayan KM, Yusuf S. Doctors' strikes and mortality: a review. Soc Sci Med 2008;67:1784-8. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.socscimed.2008.09.044
  2. Ong'ayo G, Ooko M, Wang'ondu R, Bottomley C, Nyaguara A, Tsofa BK, et al. Effect of strikes by health workers on mortality between 2010 and 2016 in Kilifi, Kenya: a population-based cohort analysis. Lancet Glob Health 2019;7:e961-7. https://doi.org/10.1016/s2214-109x(19)30188-3
  3. Lee SW, Yang YM, Ha YR, Chung SP, Yoo IS, Kim SW. The impact of doctors' strike on medical care in the emergency department. J Korean Soc Emerg Med 2002;13:181-6.
  4. Hartnett KP, Kite-Powell A, DeVies J, Coletta MA, Boehmer TK, Adjemian J, et al. Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on emergency department visits: United States, January 1, 2019-May 30, 2020. Morb Mortal Wkly Rep 2020;69:699-704. https://doi.org/10.15585/mmwr.mm6923e1
  5. Wong LE, Hawkins JE, Langness S, Murrell KL, Iris P, Sammann A. Where are all the patients? Addressing Covid-19 fear to encourage sick patients to seek emergency care. NEJM Catal Innov Care Deliv 2020;May 14 [Epub]. https://doi.org/10.1056/CAT.20.0193.
  6. Chima SC. Doctor and healthcare workers strike: are they ethical or morally justifiable: another view. Curr Opin Anaesthesiol 2020;33:203-10. https://doi.org/10.1097/ACO.0000000000000831
  7. Salazar A, Corbella X, Onaga H, Ramon R, Pallares R, Escarrabill J. Impact of a resident strike on emergency department quality indicators at an urban teaching hospital. Acad Emerg Med 2001;8:804-8. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1553-2712.2001.tb00210.x
  8. Furnivall D, Bottle A, Aylin P. Retrospective analysis of the national impact of industrial action by English junior doctors in 2016. BMJ Open 2018;8:e019319. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjopen-2017-019319
  9. Siegel-Itzkovich J. Doctors' strike in Israel may be good for health. BMJ 2000;320:1561. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.320.7249.1561
  10. Erceg M, Kujundzic-Tiljak M, Babic-Erceg A, Coric T, Lang S. Physicians' strike and general mortality: Croatia's experience of 2003. Coll Antropol 2007;31:891-5.
  11. Harvey M, Al Shaar M, Cave G, Wallace M, Brydon P. Correlation of physician seniority with increased emergency department efficiency during a resident doctors' strike. N Z Med J 2008;121:59-68.
  12. Kim SG, Chung JY, Jeong JW, Cho SJ. Effectiveness of emergency management by the medical staff in the emergency department. J Korean Soc Emerg Med 2003;14:500-7.