J Korean Soc Emerg Med.  2005 Apr;16(2):287-291.

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

• Lee JY
• Min JH
• Park JS
• Chung SP
• Park JS
• Jung SK
• Yang YM

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.

Keyword

Meteorological factors; Holidays; Patient admission

MeSH Terms

Daejeon
Emergencies*
Holidays
Humans
Meteorological Concepts
Patient Admission
Seasons
Weather