Patterns of QLD ED presentations for older adults in three time periods: pre, peri and post COVID-19

Grant ID: EMSF-003COV-2020-MARSDEN

Project Summary

Since COVID-19 was declared a pandemic by the World Health Organization (WHO), the elderly population globally have been identified as a vulnerable group, yet there is limited literature exploring the effect of pandemics on Emergency Department (ED) presentations in this cohort.

Healthcare systems have rapidly adapted and made changes to prepare for a potential healthcare crisis that has largely targeted our frail older population. The impact of the pandemic and changes in health care delivery need to be evaluated, to ensure the measures taken did not have unforeseen negative consequences and subsequent positive consequences.

This research aims to describe the clinical profiles, patterns of presentations and factors associated with outcomes of patients, aged 60 years and over, presenting to Queensland EDs before, during and after the COVID-19 pandemic. The results of this study will assist clinicians and policymakers to better respond to the challenges of acute care provision for this complex population during future pandemics.

Dissemination

Publication:

- Eccleston, C., Marsden, E., Craswell, A., Sweeny, A., Howell, N., Wallis, M., Crilly, J., COVERED-COVID Study Investigators, 2023. Impact of COVID-19 state-wide lockdown on older adult presentations to Queensland emergency departments. Emergency medicine Australasia : EMA, 10.1111/1742-6723.14236. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1111/1742-6723.14236