Respiratory presentations and admissions at Bathurst Base Hospital emergency department : exploring the impacts of the recent bushfire crisis

Objective: To examine respiratory-related ED admissions and presentations at Bathurst Base Hospital during the 2019–2020 New South Wales bushfire crisis. Methods: A retrospective clinical audit was undertaken. Publicly available data on air quality were also examined. Results: Poorer air quality (measured by PM10 levels) was correlated with increased presentations to the ED (R = 0.228, P = 0.012). ED patients with respiratory diagnoses were more likely to be admitted for inpatient care in 2019–2020 (n = 234, 49.3%) compared with 2018–2019 (n = 165, 39.6%). Conclusion: The impact of bushfire smoke needs to be considered in the allocation of resources in this area in future, but further research is warranted to understand the full extent of impact at the local level.