Survey: Up to one quarter of US adults would avoid ED care because of COVID-19

Editor's Note

Up to one quarter of US adults are willing to forgo potentially life-saving care in an emergency department (ED) to avoid exposure to COVID-19, a survey by Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles,  finds.

Of 933 adults surveyed nationwide:

• 158 (16.9%) said they would not seek ED care for symptoms of myocardial infarction, which carries a 40% risk of death without treatment
• 238 (25.5%) said they would not seek ED care if they had appendicitis, which is associated with a 4% risk of death without treatment.

Most sociodemographics, political affiliations, and personal knowledge, attitudes, and beliefs about COVID-19 were not associated with decision-making to forego ED care

The findings suggest that healthcare systems and public health organizations should develop effective communication strategies for patients and the community at large that reassure and encourage healthcare for critical needs during the COVID-19 pandemic, the authors say.