Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on emergency ENT consultations at Guillermo Grant Benavente Hospital, Concepcion

Abstract

Introduction: The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly affected the use of health systems around the world, and emergency consultations for diseases not related to the SARS-CoV-2 virus, have been reduced. Aim: To analyze the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on emergency otolaryngology consultations attended in the emergency department of a highly complex center. Material and Method: A retrospective study was carried out in which the emergency otolaryngology consultations attended between March 3 and December 31, 2020. These data were analyzed and compared with the data obtained in 2019, to determi­ne the epidemiological changes of the ongoing pandemic. Results: There was a noticeable decrease in ENT emergency care since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic (-23.3%). The greatest decrease is recorded in the period of quarantine or total mobility restriction (-59%). There were no significant differences between sociodemographic history, type of ENT pathology, number of emergency surgeries and hospital admissions compared to the previous period. Conclusion: The COVID-19 pandemic has generated a decrease in ENT emergency consultations, exacerbating the period of total mobility restriction imposed by the government. Although no changes were evidenced in the predominant care pattern with respect to the pre-pandemic period, an increase in decompensated or complicated patholo- gies is estimated in the medium-long term. Prospective studies are required to determine the true impact of the ongoing pandemic.