We assessed infection control efforts by comparing data collected over 20 weeks during a pandemic under a dual-track healthcare system. A decline in non-COVID-19 patients visiting the ED by 37.6% (p<0.01) was observed since admitting COVID-19 cases. However, patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI), stroke, severe trauma and acute appendicitis presenting for emergency care did not decrease. Door-to-balloon time (34.3〔±11.3〕min vs. 22.7〔±8.3〕min) for AMI improved significantly (p<0.01) while door-to-needle time (55.7〔±23.9〕min vs. 54.0〔±18.0〕min) in stroke management remained steady (p = 0.80). Simultaneously, time‐sensitive care involving other clinical services, including patients requiring chemotherapy, radiation therapy and hemodialysis did not change.
Providing essential clinical care for non-COVID-19 patients in a Seoul metropolitan acute care hospital amidst ongoing treatment of COVID-19 patients