The Association of Meteorological and Day-of-the-week Factors with Patient Visits to Emergency Centers

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.