Effect of widespread restrictions on the use of hospital services during an outbreak of severe acute respiratory syndrome.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Restrictions on the nonurgent use of hospital services were imposed in March 2003 to control an outbreak of severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) in Toronto, Ont. We describe the impact of these restrictions on health care utilization and suggest lessons for future epidemics.

Methods

We performed a retrospective population-based study of the Greater Toronto Area (hereafter referred to as Toronto) and unaffected comparison regions (Ottawa and London, Ont.) before, during and after the SARS outbreak (April 2001-March 2004). We determined the adjusted rates of hospital admissions, emergency department and outpatient visits, diagnostic testing and drug prescribing.

Results

During the early and late SARS restriction periods, the rate of overall and medical ad

SUBMITTER: Schull MJ 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC1891122 | biostudies-literature | 2007 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature