Impacts of the 2021 heat dome on emergency department visits, hospitalizations, and health system operations in three hospitals in Seattle, Washington

Author: Zachary S. Wettstein, Jane Hall, Cameron Buck, Steven H. Mitchell & Jeremy J. Hess

Year: 2024

Published in: JACEP Open

Extreme heat events (EHEs) are associated with excess healthcare utilization but specific impacts on emergency department (ED) operations and throughput are unknown. In 2021, the Pacific Northwest experienced an unprecedented heat dome that resulted in substantial regional morbidity and mortality. The aim of this study was to examine its impact on ED utilization, unplanned hospitalization, and hospital operations in a large academic healthcare system. The 2021 heat dome was associated with a significant increase in healthcare utilization including ED visits and unplanned hospitalizations. Substantial impacts on ED and hospital throughput were also noted. These findings contribute to the understanding of the role extreme heat events play on impacting patient outcomes and healthcare system function.