J Korean Soc Emerg Med.  2019 Aug;30(4):318-327. 10.0000/jksem.2019.30.4.318.

A nationwide study of the emergency department utilization rates according to season, day of the week, time of the day, region, and type of emergency department

• Han JH
• Lee SM
• Choi G
• Lee HC
• Heo T

• KMID: 2457225
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.0000/jksem.2019.30.4.318

Abstract

OBJECTIVE
The mismatch in the demand and supply of emergency medical resources has been a constant issue in Korean emergency departments (EDs). This study analyzed the characteristics and actual utilization of medical bed resources in these EDs.
METHODS
The emergency department utilization (EDU) rate was calculated using the Emergency Medical Resource Information System (EMRIS) on the available beds in EDs from April 2014 to January 2015. The EDU rate was analyzed according to the season, day of the week, time of day, and ED type. Furthermore, the ratio between the maximum and minimum EDU rates was also compared between the regions.
RESULTS
A total of 14,889,750 data points were included. The EDU rate was relatively high during winter and on Sundays, and was highest between 20:00 and 22:00. The ratio between the maximum and minimum EDU rates according to the time of day was highest in Gyeongbuk (5.4) and lowest in Daegu (1.4). Moreover, the EDU rate according to the ED type was highest in the regional emergency medical center (66.7%).
CONCLUSION
Significant differences were observed in the EDU rates according to the season, day of the week, time of the day, region, and ED type. Therefore, EMRIS should allocate resources based on the data on both the hospital and regional characteristics.

Keyword

Emergency service; Hospital; Beds; Information systems

MeSH Terms

Daegu
Emergencies*
Emergency Service, Hospital*
Gyeongsangbuk-do
Information Systems
Seasons*