Influence of the COVID-19 Pandemic on the Prehospital Emergency and Tele-Emergency Care - a Comparative Cohort Study

Background The SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus, discovered in the city of Wuhan in November 2019, is now the cause of a pandemic with far-reaching consequences. Nevertheless, a decrease in the total number of emergency missions is reported. Method As part of a cohort analysis, the number of missions of EMS-physicians und tele-EMS-physicians from March 2020 was compared with March 2018 and 2019 with regard to potentially life-threatening diagnoses. In addition, all operational documentation of the ambulance, emergency medical service (EMS-)physician und tele-EMS-physician from the city of Aachen from March 2020 was evaluated. Results In March 2020, there was a significant decrease in emergency missions compared to 2018 and 2019 (p < 0.001). Potentially life-threatening missions decreased as well, however the proportion of them increased significantly from 52.3% (n = 294) in 2018 to 63.3% (n = 253) (p < 0.001). 39.6% (n = 89) of the 225 patients with infectious symptoms and normal vital signs were transported to the hospital by the ambulance without the involvement of a physician. Conclusion Above all, the number of non-life-threatening operations has declined. Despite normal vital signs, many patients were transported to the hospital by an ambulance. An increased consultation of the tele-EMS-physician could avoid transports that are not indicated.