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Open Access 01-12-2021 | Coronavirus | Research

Describing the indirect impact of COVID-19 on healthcare utilisation using syndromic surveillance systems

Authors: Claire F. Ferraro, Lucy Findlater, Roger Morbey, Helen E. Hughes, Sally Harcourt, Thomas C. Hughes, Alex J. Elliot, Isabel Oliver, Gillian E. Smith

Published in: BMC Public Health | Issue 1/2021

Abstract

Background

Since the end of January 2020, the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic has been responsible for a global health crisis. In England a number of non-pharmaceutical interventions have been introduced throughout the pandemic, including guidelines on healthcare attendance (for example, promoting remote consultations), increased handwashing and social distancing. These interventions are likely to have impacted the incidence of non–COVID-19 conditions as well as healthcare seeking behaviour. Syndromic Surveillance Systems offer the ability to monitor trends in healthcare usage over time.

Methods

This study describes the indirect impact of COVID-19 on healthcare utilisation using a range of syndromic indicators including eye conditions, mumps, fractures, herpes zoster and cardiac conditions. Data from the syndromic surveillance systems monitored by Public Health England were used to describe the number of contacts with NHS 111, general practitioner (GP) In Hours (GPIH) and Out-of-Hours (GPOOH), Ambulance and Emergency Department (ED) services over comparable periods before and during the pandemic.

Results

The peak pandemic period in 2020 (weeks 13–20), compared to the same period in 2019, displayed on average a 12% increase in NHS 111 calls, an 11% decrease in GPOOH consultations, and a 49% decrease in ED attendances. In the GP In Hours system, conjunctivitis consultations decreased by 64% and mumps consultations by 31%. There was a 49% reduction in attendance at EDs for fractures, and there was no longer any weekend increase in ED fracture attendances, with similar attendance patterns observed across each day of the week. There was a decrease in the number of ED attendances with diagnoses of myocardial ischaemia.

Conclusion

The COVID-19 pandemic drastically impacted healthcare utilisation for non-COVID-19 conditions, due to a combination of a probable decrease in incidence of certain conditions and changes in healthcare seeking behaviour. Syndromic surveillance has a valuable role in describing and understanding these trends.

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Title: Describing the indirect impact of COVID-19 on healthcare utilisation using syndromic surveillance systems
Authors: Claire F. Ferraro
Lucy Findlater
Roger Morbey
Helen E. Hughes
Sally Harcourt
Thomas C. Hughes
Alex J. Elliot
Isabel Oliver
Gillian E. Smith
Publication date: 01-12-2021
Publisher: BioMed Central
Keywords: Coronavirus
Shingles
Mumps
Conjunctivitis
COVID-19
Published in: BMC Public Health / Issue 1/2021
Electronic ISSN: 1471-2458
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-021-12117-5

2024 ASCO Annual Meeting

Springer Medicine

Describing the indirect impact of COVID-19 on healthcare utilisation using syndromic surveillance systems

Abstract

Background

Methods

Results

Conclusion

2024 ASCO Annual Meeting

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Background

Methods

Results

Conclusion

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