Decline in emergency medical service missions during the COVID-19 pandemic: results from the fifth largest city in Germany (original) (raw)

During the COVID-19 pandemic, far-reaching measures led to a significant decline in emergency medical service missions (EMS-M) in Frankfurt, Germany, primarily due to lockdown protocols that included social distancing and the postponement of non-urgent medical procedures. This retrospective observational study analyzed EMS-M data from January 2018 to May 2020, focusing on two periods: before and during the lockdown. Results indicated a 23.02% decrease in total EMS-M during the lockdown, with notable declines in acute coronary syndrome and stroke calls by 19.3% and 24.8%, respectively. Interestingly, psychiatric emergencies saw an increase of 9.6%. The findings suggest a shift in emergency healthcare dynamics during the pandemic, emphasizing the need for targeted mental health support.