Temporal analysis of determinants for respiratory emergency department visits in a large German hospital

Abstract

ED visits were significantly associated with temporal variables. Our data did not show direct associations between environmental variables and ED visits.In times of rapid urbanisation, increases in respiratory diseases, temperature and air pollution, our analyses can help focus future studies and enhance strategies to reduce increasing numbers of respiratory diseases and ED visits. Because the potential costs of medical care in hospitals can be high compared with physicians, public health recommendations for reducing the increasing ED visits should be promoted and evaluated.