https://doi.org/10.4081/ecj.2020.9146

COVID-19 pandemic management at the Emergency Department: the changing scenario at the University Hospital of Pisa

Vol. 16 No. 2 (2020)
Submitted: 29 May 2020
Accepted: 2 July 2020
Published: 9 September 2020
Pandemic, Covid-19, Management, Emergency
Abstract Views: 1342
PDF: 497
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Authors

Greta Barbieri
greta.barbieri@phd.unipi.it
Department of Surgical, Medical, Molecular and Critical Area Pathology, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy.
Stefano Spinelli
Emergency Medicine Department, University Hospital of Pisa, Pisa, Italy.
Matteo Filippi
Medical Directional Department, University Hospital of Pisa, Pisa, Italy.
Francesca Foltran
Medical Directional Department, University Hospital of Pisa, Pisa, Italy.
Mauro Giraldi
Medical Directional Department, University Hospital of Pisa, Pisa, Italy.
Maria Carola Martino
Medical Directional Department, University Hospital of Pisa, Pisa, Italy.
Alessandro Cipriano
Emergency Medicine Department, University Hospital of Pisa, Pisa, Italy.
Francesco Cinotti
Emergency Medicine Department, University Hospital of Pisa, Pisa, Italy.
Massimo Santini
Emergency Medicine Department, University Hospital of Pisa, Pisa, Italy.
Lorenzo Ghiadoni
Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy.

Starting from 1st case in Italy, on February 20th, 2020, CO-rona VI-rus D-isease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic spread to whole Italian territory, with different regional distribution. Tuscany has been classified as medium diffusion area (40-100 cases/100000 inhabitants). In this context, all healthcare structures reviewed their organization to meet new needs. Our study’s objectives were description of organizational model outlined to safely manage Emergency Department (ED) and analysis of patients’ flows within Hospital of Pisa during pandemic. The ED has been reorganized with dedicated areas for examination and waiting for tests results. A similar reduction (-62%) of ED accesses comparing to the same period of 2019 and the previous months of 2020 was observed. Hospital Task Force arranged for progressive activation of Units by modules, according to territorial needs. From the beginning of March to the end of April 2020, 315 COVID-19 patients were hospitalized. Overall, a 45% reduction in hospital admissions compared to the same period of 2019 was observed, with increased mortality (4% versus 2%). The University Hospital of Pisa efficiently managed COVID-19 emergency with a logistical reorganization of ED.

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How to Cite

Barbieri, G., Spinelli, S., Filippi, M., Foltran, F., Giraldi, M., Martino, M. C., Cipriano, A., Cinotti, F., Santini, M., & Ghiadoni, L. (2020). COVID-19 pandemic management at the Emergency Department: the changing scenario at the University Hospital of Pisa. Emergency Care Journal, 16(2). https://doi.org/10.4081/ecj.2020.9146

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