The COVID-19 pandemic and healthcare utilization in Iran: evidence from an interrupted time series analysis.

Background: This study aimed to examine the effect of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak on the hospitalization rate, emergency department (ED) visits, and outpatient clinic visits in western Iran.

Methods: We collected data on the monthly hospitalization rate, rate of patients referred to the ED, and rate of patients referred to outpatient clinics for a period of 40 months (23 months before and 17 months after the COVID-19 outbreak in Iran) from all 7 public hospitals in the city of Kermanshah. An interrupted time series analysis was conducted to examine the impact of COVID-19 on the outcome variables in this study.

COVID-19 Pandemic and Hospital Efficiency in Iran: Insight from an Interrupted Time Series Analysis and Pabon Lasso Model.

Background: Limited evidence exists on the impact of the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic on hospital efficiency worldwide. This study aimed to investigate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on public hospitals in Iran.

Methods: In this quasi-experimental study, monthly data on the average length of stay (ALoS), bed occupancy rate (BOR), bed turnover rate (BTR) and bed turnover interval (BTI) were collected for 58 months (36 months before and 22 months after the COVID-19 outbreak in Iran) from the health information systems of all 18 public hospitals affiliated with Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences in Kermanshah province, Iran.