Abstract
Background
Emergency departments (EDs) worldwide experience substantial variability in hourly
patient arrivals. The month of Ramadan represents a repetitive annual occurrence,
which could be associated with distinct patient arrival patterns compared with other
months of the year.
Objective
This study examined hourly patient arrival patterns and patient characteristics in
an ED in a tertiary care center in Beirut, Lebanon to determine whether there are
significant changes in patient attendance patterns during the month of Ramadan.
Methods
Data on patients presenting to the ED during the month of Ramadan with those presenting
1 month prior to and 1 month after, between 2012 and 2018, were accounted for in the
study. Pearson chi-squared test was used in the bivariate analysis, whereas Student's
t-test was used to compare continuous variables.
Results
Patient attendance patterns significantly varied between Ramadan and non-Ramadan periods
(p < 0.0001). Patient flow dropped starting at 8:00 am, with the greatest drop between 6:00 pm and 9:00 pm, and increased in the early morning hours between 2:00 am and 4:00 am (p < 0.0001). The total number of visits per day significantly decreased in Ramadan
compared with non-Ramadan periods (135.6 ± 14.74 vs. 145.5 ± 18.90, p-value < 0.0001), whereas length of stay decreased slightly.
Conclusion
We found a drop in daily ED visits during Ramadan, in addition to a distinct pattern
of patient arrivals. ED administrators should consider different scheduling arrangements
for nurses and physicians during this period in EDs that serve communities where Ramadan
is commonly observed.
Keywords
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References
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Article info
Publication history
Published online: September 10, 2020
Accepted:
June 6,
2020
Received in revised form:
June 3,
2020
Received:
April 22,
2020
Identification
Copyright
© 2020 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
