Cynthia Kay, MD, MS; Jeffrey L. Jackson, MD, MPH
WMJ. 2022;121(2):164-166
ABSTRACT
Background: We explored the impact of weather and sporting events on clinic and emergency department (ED) visits and hospitalization.
Methods: Weather, dates of sporting events, ED visits, hospitalizations, clinic visits, no-shows, and same-day patient cancellations from 2015 to 2018 were abstracted from Milwaukee’s Veterans Affairs (VA) medical system.
Results: Inclement precipitation increased clinic cancellations. Snowfall reduced ED visits. Green Bay Packer football games, University of Wisconsin-Madison football games, and the Super Bowl reduced ED visits but not hospitalizations. Milwaukee Brewers baseball home games didn’t affect ED visits, but hospital admissions increased slightly. Basketball events (Milwaukee Bucks, University of Wisconsin-Madison, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, Marquette University) had no impact.
Conclusion: Inclement weather increased clinic cancellations, and snow reduced ED visits. Football games reduced ED visits, while baseball increased hospitalizations, probably because the Milwaukee Brewers stadium is located on the VA property.