Turning the heat up on admissions: The impact of extreme heat events on hospital admissions

Study/Objective This study aimed to investigate the impact of extreme heat events on the admissions to the Royal Hobart Hospital (RHH), Tasmania for the period January 2003 to December 2010. The objective of this study was to determine if extreme heat events lead to an increase in hospital admissions. Background Extreme heat events are increasing in frequency and duration and cause more deaths in Australia than any other extreme weather event. The total economic cost of extreme weather events in Australia each year is estimated at $6.3 billion with this figure expected to double by 2030. Extreme heat increases the number of presentations to emergency departments and the mortality and morbidity rates. Emergency departments across Australia have experienced a steady increase in presentations over the years with spikes occurring during disaster events. In 2012-2013, Tasmania had the largest percentage increase in emergency department presentations of all the Australian states; there were 147,064 presentations equating to a 3.8% increase on the previous year. This increase in public hospital emergency department presentations across Australia has led to overcrowding of emergency departments. Methods Non-identifiable RHH emergency department data and climate data from the Australian Bureau of Meteorology were obtained for the period 2003-2010. Statistical analysis was conducted using the computer statistical software ‘R’ with a Distributed Lag Nonlinear Model (DLNM) package used to fit a quasi-Poisson generalized linear regression model. Results The Relative Risk (RR) of admission to RHH during 2003-2010 was significant when temperatures exceeded 24°C (75.2 F). The peak effect was noted one day after an extreme heat event (P <.05) with a lag effect lasting 12 days. These results highlight the significant impact extreme heat events have on hospital admissions. Conclusion: This study identified the increased demand placed on a tertiary referral public hospital emergency department during extreme heat events and the potential for overcrowding