Addressing heatwave impacts on hospital admissions in an Italian region

Abstract This study explores the dynamic of emergency department (ED) access during heat waves. Given the importance of avoiding overcrowding and long waits in an ED, it is important to explore all the possible determinants of ED inflows. We shed some light on the impact that heat waves have on this...

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Main Authors: Vincenzo Alfano, Fabio Serini, Alessandro Scaletti
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Nature Portfolio 2024-11-01
Series:Scientific Reports
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Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-024-79652-0
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author Vincenzo Alfano
Fabio Serini
Alessandro Scaletti
author_facet Vincenzo Alfano
Fabio Serini
Alessandro Scaletti
author_sort Vincenzo Alfano
collection DOAJ
description Abstract This study explores the dynamic of emergency department (ED) access during heat waves. Given the importance of avoiding overcrowding and long waits in an ED, it is important to explore all the possible determinants of ED inflows. We shed some light on the impact that heat waves have on this dynamic, via a quantitative analysis of the number of ED visits in the Campania region of Italy during the summers between 2016 and 2019. Aggregating individual-level data, we examine the relationship between extreme heat events and number of ED visits, controlling for social, demographic and economic characteristics. Our findings, obtained through Random Effects Poisson and fractional probit estimations, show that heat waves above 39 perceived degrees Celsius significantly increase the number of ED visits, revealing the impact that heat waves have on ED utilization in Campania. Insights for local public health strategies and emergency preparedness initiatives are discussed.
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spelling doaj-art-2480563e68db45c5804ef371c24018e52024-11-17T12:20:52ZengNature PortfolioScientific Reports2045-23222024-11-0114111110.1038/s41598-024-79652-0Addressing heatwave impacts on hospital admissions in an Italian regionVincenzo Alfano0Fabio Serini1Alessandro Scaletti2DISAE, University of Napoli “Parthenope”DISAE, University of Napoli “Parthenope”DISAE, University of Napoli “Parthenope”Abstract This study explores the dynamic of emergency department (ED) access during heat waves. Given the importance of avoiding overcrowding and long waits in an ED, it is important to explore all the possible determinants of ED inflows. We shed some light on the impact that heat waves have on this dynamic, via a quantitative analysis of the number of ED visits in the Campania region of Italy during the summers between 2016 and 2019. Aggregating individual-level data, we examine the relationship between extreme heat events and number of ED visits, controlling for social, demographic and economic characteristics. Our findings, obtained through Random Effects Poisson and fractional probit estimations, show that heat waves above 39 perceived degrees Celsius significantly increase the number of ED visits, revealing the impact that heat waves have on ED utilization in Campania. Insights for local public health strategies and emergency preparedness initiatives are discussed.https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-024-79652-0Heat wavesHeat indexEmergency departmentHospital admissions
spellingShingle Vincenzo Alfano
Fabio Serini
Alessandro Scaletti
Addressing heatwave impacts on hospital admissions in an Italian region
Scientific Reports
Heat waves
Heat index
Emergency department
Hospital admissions
title Addressing heatwave impacts on hospital admissions in an Italian region
title_full Addressing heatwave impacts on hospital admissions in an Italian region
title_fullStr Addressing heatwave impacts on hospital admissions in an Italian region
title_full_unstemmed Addressing heatwave impacts on hospital admissions in an Italian region
title_short Addressing heatwave impacts on hospital admissions in an Italian region
title_sort addressing heatwave impacts on hospital admissions in an italian region
topic Heat waves
Heat index
Emergency department
Hospital admissions
url https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-024-79652-0
work_keys_str_mv AT vincenzoalfano addressingheatwaveimpactsonhospitaladmissionsinanitalianregion
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